By Katarzyna Pipin
A little piece of Beijing may soon land in the heart of Ottawa’s Chinatown.
Plans are underway to create a Millennium Garden at the corner of Somerset Street West and Cambridge Street as a tribute to the Chinese community’s role in shaping the nation’s capital.
The city of Beijing has donated Chinese building materials, which are not available in Canada, to build a monument marking the community’s ethnic roots.
A prominent part of this landmark will be the Gateway to the Future with two stone lions on either side, an integral part of Chinatowns found worldwide
Despite the presence of the Chinese community in Ottawa dating back more than 100 years, organizers say the city has nothing commemorating its culture and history.
“Most Chinatowns in North America and the whole world have something to represent the typical Chinese structure,” says Edwin Lee, co-chair of the steering committee for the Ottawa Millennium Garden. “In Ottawa, we’re the capital and we don’t have anything.”
Lee, who is also the designer of the garden, is hoping the monument will be a focal point for people in the area and will attract tourism. He says the garden will be a symbol of the harmonious relationship between all Canadians in the area.
City council has approved the project and endorsed it by donating the allotted corner of land plus three additional parking spaces which adjoin the designated area.
Somerset Ward Coun. Elisabeth Arnold says it has been a long process getting the project running, but it is a good way to show the Chinese contribution to the community.
“The garden will enhance the area and it will be a great tourist attraction,” says Arnold.
An estimated $250,000 is needed to fund the garden. So far, the committee has raised about $88,000 thanks to two kickoff events. Local politicians including former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson have lent their support to the project.
The committee is now planning a fashion show fundraiser, which is set to take place in June.
“A lot of money is from Canadian Chinese individuals, especially those who settled here years ago,” says Ying Liu, grant co-ordinator for the project.
Liu says the committee would like big companies to help with donations to raise the remaining amount over the course of the next year. The committee hopes to begin construction by spring of 2004.
Donors may choose to fund some of the features of the garden, like a $2,500 bench displaying their company’s name.
Authentic Chinese materials are being provided by the city of Beijing. For example, the gateway, which will guard the entrance to the garden, will be built using Chinese columns and roof tiles that are distinct to Beijing. According to Lee, the structure will represent the theme of “looking forward to the future while building a better Canada with culture.”
Among other planned features are the Bell Tower of Peace and the Memorial Millennium Stone, featuring a sculpture of the contributions of early and recent Chinese settlers.Another feature of the garden will be the Bridge of Friendship, symbolizing the “bridging of the East and West.”
Organizers say there has been a lot of interest from the community and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
Lee adds he wants the garden to be part of a legacy in celebration of Canada’s multicultural heritage.
“It’s going to be great for the city,” says Liu. “It will benefit Ottawa as a whole and it will probably become a cultural landmark.”