Filipino BC has announced the proposed vision and scope for the long-anticipated Filipino Community and Cultural Centre.
After two years of extensive public engagement, a preferred site on Main Street has been identified for the 60,000 square foot centre, and feasibility work continues while Filipino BC and its partners await a report from City of Vancouver staff this fall.
The proposed centre would be designed around four core components:
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Filipino Cultural Centre – featuring a performance hall, museum and gallery spaces, archives, classrooms, and a dedicated Filipino library space.
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Community Centre – including a multi-purpose sports gym, seniors’ hub, non-profit office space, flexible rental spaces, and community rooms.
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Community Food Centre – anchored by a large community kitchen that connects food security with broader social programs and services. This component will be developed and delivered in partnership with the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House.
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Innovation and Technology Hub – offering STEM programming, a robotics lab, coworking spaces, a makers’ lab, and both a business incubator and accelerator to support entrepreneurs and local start-ups.
Other envisioned features include a café or restaurant space, as well as opportunities for other non-profits and Filipino-owned businesses to establish a presence within the centre.
“Our community has always defined culture as more than just art and performance—it’s about gathering, supporting one another, and creating spaces that meet real needs,” said RJ Aquino, chair of Filipino BC. “This proposed centre is a reflection of what we heard from our community: a place where culture, connection, and services come together.”
“The tragic events of April 26 underscored the urgent need for a place where our community can gather, heal, and support one another,” Aquino added. “This proposed centre is about more than just infrastructure—it’s about resilience, belonging, and building spaces that serve both Filipinos and South Vancouver as a whole.”
