By Natalie Hill
Traditional dancers in colourful costumes and the beat of a powerful drum were just some of the sights and sounds of the grand opening of the Chinese-Canadian Heritage Centre last weekend.
The event, which attracted a crowd of about 300 people, began with opening remarks from local politicians, who later had the honour of cutting the centre’s official red ribbon. Two stone lion statues, donated by the Chinese Embassy, were unveiled at the centre’s new entrance, while firecrackers were ignited on the steps, and bright balloons were released into the sky.
The ceremony also included a silent auction of local Chinese artwork, and a multicultural performance, featuring traditional Chinese dancers, and Indian and Canadian musicians.
A Chinese buffet and a disco-themed dance party finished off the night of celebrations.
Now officially off the ground, the centre, located at 397 Kent (what was once the First United Church), will serve as a venue for local events, for both the Chinese community and other ethnic groups.
“This is a place for everyone,” said Frank Zhao, one of the centre’s co-ordinators.
The goal of a multicultural atmosphere within the centre was echoed by the event’s special guest, the Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Lu Shumin.
“This centre will help both members of the Chinese community, as well as other Canadians, to better understand the Chinese heritage,” said Shumin.
To do this, the centre will offer programs, services and resources like Chinese books, donated by local vendors, and from the Chinese embassy, said Zhao.
Activities at the centre will range from art, dance, and language classes, to seminars and committee meetings. It will also host a cycling club and a choir.
“It is important to reach out to our community elders,” said Zhao, “because they have nowhere else to go.”
Programs for children will be a draw for people like Justin Li, whose five-year-old son Winston was bursting with energy during the centre’s opening ceremonies. Li said he hopes the centre have a strong presence in the community, adding, “this should have happened a long time ago. But I’m glad it’s finally here,” he said.
Other prominent political speakers included Jim Watson, MPP for Ottawa-West Nepean, and Pierre Poilievre, MP for Nepean-Carleton. Both men spoke to the importance of the new venue for the 40,000 Chinese-Canadians in the Ottawa area, who, as Poilievre acknowledged, the prime minister “worked hard to represent” when he issued a formal apology and complete redress earlier this year for the Chinese head tax.
Perhaps the most well received speaker, however, was Royal Galipeau, MP for Ottawa-Orleans, who delivered his comments almost entirely in a well-rehearsed attempt at Mandarin.
The new centre was made possible through community donations and fundraising by the Chinese-Canadian Heritage Foundation, and now stands to improve leaps and bounds after a significant contribution was announced at the opening.
Brian McGarry, the federal conservative candidate for Ottawa Centre, and his wife Joan, will donate $25,000 to the new centre, in partnership with their long-time friends Tsin and Betty Van, who have been active figures in the Chinese community for over 60 years. The McGarrys run a family chapel and crematorium close to the centre and have long served the Chinese community in Ottawa.
The donation was arranged when Tsin Van offered the McGarrys a statue given to him by a prominent Chinese artist, Zheng Yehe. In exchange for the artwork, the McGarrys will make the significant donation to the Chinese-Canadian Heritage Centre.
“I was given this special gift,” says Van, “and now, with my friends, we can pass it on to others.”
The announcement was a complete surprise to everyone involved, including Xing Huang, the director of the Chinese-Canadian Heritage Foundation.
While he said the money will help with renovations and services for the centre, to him, it serves an even greater purpose.
“It is a true gift of the heart to our entire community,” he said, “and that is more important than anything.”