VJCC Facility Expansion |
By John Ikegami
For the past few years, the VJCC has been working towards developing a plan to build a multipurpose room to replace the classrooms adjacent to the gym in the southwest corner of the Center. This proposed facility will be nearly 2/3 the size of the gym floor. We have been working diligently with the City Planning Office and our neighbors to ensure that our plan addresses both our needs and the concerns of the community. We also met with the Del Rey Homeowners and Neighbors Association and received their commitment of support for our plan.
At present, we are waiting for the City Planning Office to respond to our request for expansion and are expecting to receive a response within the next three months. Once our plan is approved, we will spend several months developing detailed architectural drawings. The drawings will be submitted for approval to the City Planning Office and then turned over to a building contractor to obtain a construction permit. Upon obtaining the permit, we will be busy preparing the facility for construction. This process may take up to 3 years; temporary classroom trailers will be brought in during this time to facilitate ongoing activities. Additionally, we will launch a major building expansion fundraising campaign to support our efforts.
This is an exciting time for the Center as this will be our first major expansion project since the gym was built roughly 30 years ago. However, there will be inherent inconveniences during the expansion, as many of us can relate to from our own remodeling or moving experiences. Thus, we need to remain focused on the completed facility and partner together to accomplish this goal.
The new facility will completely replace the classroom structure originally built in the 1940s and modified in the 1970s. The multipurpose room will have a high ceiling and partitions to accommodate two activities simultaneously. The classrooms will be composed of two levels with elevator access. The entire facility will be sound-proofed and include a state-of-the-art lighting system. In addition, the restrooms will be completely rebuilt and expanded.
The expansion project will not come at the expense of other immediate maintenance needs. Currently, plans are underway to resurface and re-stripe the parking lot, improve the outdoor lighting and repair rain-damaged stucco.
We ask for your support and cooperation throughout the duration of this process. We hope that the new additions will benefit our members for generations to come.
Visions for the VJCC
By Irene Mikawa Matsumura
 Irene Mikawa Matsumura |
The vision started with my Jichan Tomohei Mikawa together with Eizo Maruyama forming the Venice Gakuen, the fore runner of our VJCC. My father George was also involved with the Venice community serving as President of the Venice/Culver JACL. My mom Tsuruko was in the Gakuen Haha no Kai forever since I attended almost nine years of J-school (yes, I was a drop out). The CYC patch I'm holding up is from the athletic program just prior to our own VYC organization. We had basketball games (with lemon wedges to wet our whistle - no Gatorade or snack schedules!) and softball. Unlike today, our team had mixed ages. We all helped each other play. |
I attend the monthly Council meetings representing the Pioneer Project (which my sister Judy got me into) with Eric Inouye. I also report back news from our Police Dept. neighborhood meetings which I attend monthly. After being dubbed the new "Chirashi Queen" by Sara Falsey many years ago, I will gladly relinquish my duties to another; just come and help make sushi at 7AM on Saturday and Sunday of our festival. (Don't forget your apron & scarf.)
Now, all this is not a full time job. I do what I can, when I can--just like all of us serving the Center. I invite everyone interested in perpetuating our activities to visit the VJCC Executive Council meetings held every 3rd Wednesday of the month (except August) and see what's going on. I know there's a lot of talent out there to share.
My vision for the future is to have lots of caring people doing what they can to keep this historical center alive and well for many more generations to come.