Did you know we’re building a Filipino Community & Cultural Centre in South Van? And we’re a lot further along than you might think 👀
OCTOBER 1, 2025
If you’re new here, or you’ve just lost track of where things are, here’s the 3+ year catch-up!
IT STARTED WITH A BIG QUESTION:
What would our community build if we had a place of our own?
When Filipino BC was founded in April 2023, creating a community-serving institution was part of the vision from the beginning.
But we knew a Centre couldn’t just be something we designed ourselves.
It had to start with community.
SO, WE LISTENED.
For more than two years, we talked with Filipinos across BC through surveys, town halls, community conversations, etc.
More than 2,000 Filipinos across BC shared what they need, what they want, and what they imagine for the future.
We brought all of that together in our What We Heard Report.
This became the foundation for the Centre.
AND WHAT DID WE HEAR?
That our Centre needs to be about more than culture. It needs to be a place to:
Celebrate culture & heritage
Access community & social services
Address food insecurity
Support seniors, children & youth
Gather & play
Learn & preserve our history
Create, innovate & grow
That became the vision for a purpose-built Centre. Not a space where we simply fit our programs in. A space built around our community.
A place where culture, connection and essential services come together.
THEN WE STARTED ASKING:
How do we actually build this?
Because a Centre of this scale needs more than a great idea. It needs a plan.
So in April 2024, we partnered with Hungerford Properties to begin the pre-development and feasibility work.
That meant starting to dig into the things that make a project like this possible:
Site. Design. Costs. Financing. Programming. Operations. Partnerships. Implementation.
THEN, WE FOUND A PLACE.
South Vancouver
We identified a proposed site at 396 SW Marine Drive for the future Filipino Community & Cultural Centre.
The proposed development is approximately 90,000–100,000 square feet and brings together a Filipino Cultural Centre, Community Centre, Community Food Centre, and Innovation & Technology Hub.
A vision needs a place. We found one.
AND WE KEPT BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS.
Because community-led doesn't mean doing everything alone.
We partnered with South Vancouver Neighbourhood House to develop a Community Food Centre as part of the future Centre.
We’ve continued working with community organizations, service providers, government partners and others to shape what this Centre can become.
Different expertise. Different perspectives. One shared goal.
SO… HOW FAR ALONG ARE WE?
Honestly? Pretty far.
Out of 10 stages, we have completed stages 1-6, and are currently working on 7-9. We will break it down in a later post.
This isn't just an idea anymore. There is a vision, site, planning, partnerships and a path forward.
WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
Our community needs more spaces, more services, and more places to gather and connect.
There are currently three proposals for a Filipino Community & Cultural Centre before the Province.
There’s room for all of us.
We believe the process should be transparent and consider: Community need. Accessibility. Feasibility. Established partnerships. Financial readiness. And the ability to move forward within a reasonable timeline.
For our proposal, we’ve already completed significant groundwork—including a pro forma and early financial modelling, and identifying a federal funding pathway.
We’re ready to take the next step—and keep building this with our community.
THIS IS WHAT DESIGNED BY COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE.
It looks like listening before designing.
It looks like turning community feedback into programs.
It looks like bringing partners to the table.
It looks like doing the feasibility work.
It looks like building the institutions and infrastructure our community needs.
And it means the work doesn't stop once the plans are drawn.
THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COMMUNITY PROJECT.
For more than three years, community has shaped this process—from what we heard, to the vision, to the partnerships and plans bringing it forward. And community will continue to shape what comes next.
Designed by community.
Built with community.
For community.
We’ve come a long way. Join us as we build what comes next together.
