Calgary Japanese Community Association Launches Major Fundraising Campaign for New Cultural Centre
The Calgary Japanese Community Association (CJCA) has embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign to construct a new $10 million cultural centre in the city's Killarney-Glengarry neighbourhood. This significant capital project, known as the Legacy Project, aims to create a modern facility that will serve as a vibrant hub for both the Japanese community and broader Calgary population.
A Vision for Community Connection and Cultural Exchange
Maureen Coleman, co-chair of the Legacy Project and former president of the CJCA, emphasized that the planned centre represents more than just a physical space. "Our hope is that it becomes a hub or a gathering spot — a place to build community and promote cross-cultural sharing," she explained. "It's not just a space for Japanese. This is a space to share Japanese culture and create and develop ideas and a shared understanding."
The association envisions the centre as a welcoming environment where diverse groups can come together to explore Japanese heritage while fostering mutual understanding and community growth.
Project Details and Historical Context
The Legacy Project concept originated in 2019 following a feasibility study that determined renovations to the existing Nikkei Cultural and Seniors Centre would be insufficient for the association's expanding needs. Although the pandemic temporarily halted progress, the initiative has since regained momentum.
Key aspects of the project include:
- A two-story facility designed to accommodate the association's rapid growth
- Architectural plans that blend traditional Japanese elements with modern design
- A construction timeline of at least two years once groundbreaking occurs
- Completion of 48 percent of the required $10 million funding to date
Kim Aban, a member of CJCA's board of directors, noted that the association is pursuing funding through multiple channels, including grant applications to municipal, provincial, and federal governments alongside community fundraising efforts.
Cultural Significance and Growing Interest
The push for a new cultural centre comes at a time of increasing fascination with Japanese culture among Canadians. Aban observed that "a lot of people love anime or Japanese culture" and pointed to practical indicators like WestJet's new direct flights from Calgary to Tokyo as evidence of deepening connections between Alberta and Japan.
This contemporary interest builds upon a rich historical foundation. Japanese immigrants have been settling in Alberta for more than a century, with the first arrivals dating back to the late 1800s. The CJCA itself has organizational roots extending to the 1950s, originally operating as the Calgary Japanese Canadian Association before incorporating in the 1970s.
Future Prospects and Community Impact
Pending successful fundraising, construction could begin as early as this fall. The completed centre will provide enhanced space for existing CJCA programming while creating new opportunities for cultural engagement. The facility is specifically designed to welcome non-Japanese Calgarians interested in learning about Japan's traditions, arts, and contemporary culture.
As Coleman summarized, "The important part is that it's a space to grow our community, but also to invite other groups to join us." This dual focus on community strengthening and cross-cultural outreach positions the Legacy Project as a significant addition to Calgary's cultural landscape, promising to enrich the city's diversity while honoring Japanese Canadian heritage.
