Government of Canada Announces $4.4 Million Investment in New Japanese Community Centre in Calgary
The Calgary Japanese Community Association (CJCA) is proud to share a major milestone for our community.
On March 14th, during SumoFest Calgary, the Government of Canada and the Calgary Japanese Community Association announced over $4.4 million in federal funding through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. This investment will support the development of a new Net-Zero Carbon Japanese Community Centre in Calgary.
For decades, CJCA has operated its current cultural centre alongside adjacent 4-plex housing. While this space has served as an important hub for cultural connection and community activities, it is now reaching the end of its lifecycle. At the same time, Calgary’s Japanese and Japanese-Canadian community continues to grow, increasing the need for a modern, inclusive, and sustainable facility.
A Vision for the Future
The new community centre represents a significant step forward, designed to better serve current and future generations. Planned features include:
- Expanded multi-purpose spaces for classes, performances, and community events
- A fully equipped commercial kitchen to support cultural programming and food-based initiatives
- A library and barrier-free Japanese garden, creating spaces for learning and reflection
- A traditional tatami room for experiences such as tea ceremonies and cultural workshops
- Increased housing capacity, doubling the current number of community-supporting units
The facility has been thoughtfully designed by CJCA member Henry Tsang Architect in collaboration with MODA Architecture. The design incorporates key Japanese principles such as wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection) and ma (the importance of space and pause), while embracing sustainable, net-zero carbon building practices.
Honouring the Past, Building the Future
This project is more than a physical structure. It is a place that will honour the deep history and contributions of Japanese Canadians in Southern Alberta, while creating new opportunities for cultural exchange, education, and community connection.
The new centre will serve as a gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to celebrate Japanese culture, build relationships, and pass traditions on to future generations.
You can learn more from the page below
Support the Legacy Project
While this federal funding is a significant step, community support remains essential to bringing the full vision of the project to life.
We invite individuals, families, and organizations to be part of this legacy initiative. Your contribution will help create a lasting cultural home for generations to come.
If you are interested in supporting the project through a donation or sponsorship, please visit our website or contact us directly to learn more about how you can get involved.
Together, we can build a space that reflects our shared history, strengthens our community, and inspires the future.
