Filipino BC Unveils Plans for Community and Cultural Center in South Vancouver
Filipino BC, an advocacy group, has revealed the chosen location for its proposed community and cultural center in south Vancouver, marking a significant step towards realizing a vision that has been in the making for almost four decades. RJ Aquino, the chair of the group, describes this milestone as a long-awaited achievement.
The envisioned project, situated near the intersection of southwest Marine Drive and Cambie Street, is the result of extensive collaboration with local community members. Aquino shares that the center is expected to feature a museum and archives, an auditorium, a basketball court, a technology and innovation hub, as well as childcare and services for seniors, among other amenities.
In a strategic partnership with Hungerford Properties, the site’s owner, Filipino BC plans to incorporate affordable housing within the development. The choice of location along southwest Marine Drive, pending rezoning, is based on factors such as the burgeoning Filipino population, accessibility to public transportation, and the identified gap in cultural offerings in the area.
While the center will be a hub for Filipino cultural activities and services, Aquino emphasizes that it will also cater to the wider community’s needs. He envisions it as a space where individuals lacking access to essential services in the neighborhood can benefit.
Furthermore, Filipino BC has joined forces with South Vancouver Neighbourhood House to enhance community engagement and support. This announcement follows Vancouver city council’s recent decision to prioritize the review of a separate proposal for a Filipino cultural center and hotel in another part of the city.
Aquino clarifies that while there were initial concerns about the alternative project, Filipino BC is open to the possibility of multiple cultural centers. The organization is committed to transparent engagement with the community and has initiated fundraising efforts to bring its vision to life.
The Filipino community and cultural center project has been earmarked as part of Ottawa’s Build Canada program, highlighting its significance on a national scale. Filipino BC intends to submit a formal zoning application to the City of Vancouver in the near future.
The journey towards establishing this center symbolizes a cherished aspiration for the Filipino community, with Aquino underscoring the enduring importance of creating a dedicated space that fosters unity and celebration within the Filipino-Canadian identity.