VANCOUVER, BC 13 Nov 2024 – Today, Vancouver City Council took a major step towards establishing a South Asian Cultural Centre of Excellence – a landmark project celebrating the vital contributions and rich heritage of South Asian Canadians in Vancouver and beyond. Championed by Councillor Lenny Zhou, this initiative fulfills a core commitment by Council to honour the legacy and impact of Vancouver’s vibrant South Asian community, creating a dedicated space for cultural exchange, education, and community connection.
“The South Asian community has been an integral part of building Vancouver, our province, and our country,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “The South Asian Cultural Centre of Excellence will be a vibrant space where the community’s stories, traditions, and contributions are celebrated and shared with future generations.”
Previous community consultations have highlighted the strong enthusiasm for the centre from Vancouver’s South Asian community, with a focus on finding the ideal site. Due to Vancouver’s central location, thriving tourism economy, high global profile, and existing infrastructure, the city is uniquely positioned to be the perfect host for this centre.
“Vancouver is already known as a world-class destination, and the addition of a South Asian Centre of Excellence will only further strengthen our city’s diverse cultural landscape,” said Councillor Zhou. “We are excited to collaborate with provincial and federal partners, as well as South Asian community leaders, to bring this important vision to life.”
With Council committed to funding one-third of the centre in principle, pending a staff report, Vancouver is one step closer to creating a vibrant hub for cultural preservation and celebration. As planning progresses, Mayor Sim will engage senior levels of government to advocate for Vancouver as the host city for the South Asian Cultural Centre of Excellence, ensuring it reflects the values, heritage, and aspirations of Vancouver’s South Asian community.