Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan gets 20 Year Lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre!

The Council of the City of Vaughan voted unanimously to grant a 20 year lease of the Patricia Kemp Community Centre to the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan!

It wasn’t easy. There were many challenges. It took over 10 years spanning the term of 4 mayors, changes to the makeup of the city council through elections and a serious challenge from a commercial developer who wanted to acquire the property to extend its commercial project on the corner of Centre and Dufferin. There was also the challenge of overcoming the misguided perception of a weak Filipino Canadian community.

In the end it was the persistence and determination of Erlinda Insigne, President of The Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan, hundreds of signatures on a petition from the Filipino-Canadian community along with the support of Gino Rosati, Regional Councillor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Vaughan that eventually brought a unanimous vote from City Council in June, 2012.

The lease was signed on October 26, 2012. On October 27, Mayor Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City, Philippines joined City of Vaughan Deputy Mayor Gino Rosati, City Councilors and small group in a ribbon cutting ceremony to turn over the management of the Patricia Kemp Community Centre to the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan. It was a timely occasion that coincided with the celebration of the 15^th anniversary of the twinning of the cities of Vaughan and Baguio.

The Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan has been serving the Filipino-Canadians in the York region for over 20 years. It has programs for seniors, youth, new-comers and is looking to provide additional services to serve the growing Filipino-Canadians in the region of York for the next 20 years from the Patricia Kemp Community Centre. One of the association’s greatest achievements was the establishing of the agreement that resulted in the twinning of the cities of Vaughan and Baguio also known as the Friendship Agreement. Patricia Kemp Community Centre will house the activities of the Friendship Agreement.

With great opportunities come great challenges. The Patricia Kemp Community Centre is old and needs a facelift and structural improvements to allow for accessibility and improved facilities to accommodate community, sports and social events.

This is the time for our community to rally together to help build a lasting legacy for our future generations. Not just in the building of a structure of bricks and stones but more importantly in the building and revival of the “Bayanihan” spirit. Providing an example for our future generations to see and learn that through cooperation, determination and the support of many “shoulders” and “hands” we are able to lift any burden, achieve any goal and overcome any challenge that may come our way. This is one of the great values in the Filipino identity that we want to pass on to our children and future generations here in Canada.

God bless the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan as it now rises to meet the challenges of building a Filipino-Canadian Centre in Vaughan and may our community reap the rewards of its faithful and dedicated work. – Rey Tolentino

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