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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Elks Lodge members are celebrating their diamond jubilee next month.

There will be a dinner and dance on Oct. 4th.

The Elks Lodge uses its funds to help out people in need.

Elks brother Roland Gagnon, left, and president Frank Stapleton of the Yellowknife 314 Elks Lodge are excited because the group is celebrating its 60th anniversary Oct. 4. The Elks have been greatly involved with community work throughout their years in the city. - Jason Emiry/NNSL photo

"We are planning to donate some big numbers at the banquet," said Roland Gagnon of the Elks Lodge.

"Three groups in town are going to get some big donations from us."

For many years the lodge building itself was the only hall of its size in Yellowknife. Many sports teams and other clubs held dances and other events there to raise funds. These events helped ease some of the burdens of operating costs for these groups.

"I think it is safe to say that the Elks Lodge has generated over $25 million for the community of Yellowknife during our 60-year existence in the city," said Gagnon.

The basement/club room at the Elks Lodge was built in 1948. Originally it was 30 by 100 feet. In 1959, the upstairs portion was built and expanded the size to 50 by 100 feet. The basement was also increased in size.

In its earlier days the Elks Lodge hosted the Fireman's Ball, the Daughters of the Midnight Sun annual dances, the Commissioner of the NWT annual ball, and RCMP regimental dinners.

The Supreme Court of the NWT and territorial and magistrate courts were also housed there.

When Stanton Hospital burned down in 1966, the lodge became the interim location for health care service within hours of the fire. It remained the "hospital" for approximately six months until the new hospital was built. Everything was done in the temporary location.

"My son was actually born there," said Gagnon. "He actually got in trouble in school for saying he was born in a pool room."

In 1967, the lodge hosted a celebration for the Yellowknife junior ball team that won the national championship.

On Oct. 1, 1970, the lodge was designated for one day as a federal post office to commemorate the NWT's centennial. It was the only post office in Canada to not be put in a federal building.

Many prime ministers, including Paul Martin, Jean Chretien and Pierre Elliott Trudeau, have made appearances at the lodge.

The Queen came to the lodge in 1970 for a banquet in her honour. The lodge was completely decorated as a fort for this event.

"We had to do some renovations for that banquet," said Gagnon. "We actually needed a special bathroom for the Queen when she arrived."

In 1997 the Elks donated money to Stanton's audiology department and it became the Elks audiology department.

President Frank Stapleton also enjoys being an Elk. He said the Yellowknife Elks will be hosting the National Elks Convention in 2010.

"I do it for the community," said Stapleton. "I first joined because my boss was an Elk."