Society Presents Bunka Centre as Proposed Name for Cultural Centre
April 15, 2021-Lethbridge residents and Nikka Yuko supporters alike will soon be able to enjoy and benefit from the unique cultural centre being constructed at the garden, provisionally named the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre. The Lethbridge and District Japanese Garden Society presented the name to the Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee today and spoke to the Society’s plans to honour the many visionaries whose dedication is reflected throughout the garden. The Committee will present the name at a future City Council meeting.
Bunka, pronounced boon-kah, means culture in Japanese. As the garden is known as the “Gem of the South” the Nikka Yuko Bunka Centre will engage the community and guests with cultural experiences and programs offered by the Society. The Bunka Centre will also provide space for the community to celebrate and gather for their own cultural purposes, events, and activities. The Centre will be a hub for Henderson Lake users as a year-round place to enjoy, whether they are grabbing a coffee or tea from the café or relaxing with friends and family. In total, the facility will include two dedicated exhibit spaces, a café, and rentable spaces for meetings and community events, the largest with a capacity of 100 people.
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden’s founders will be honoured in the new Bunka Centre through exhibits and spaces dedicated in their names. These include Cleo’s Café (named after Cleo Mowers), the Kawamura Room (named after both Reverend Yutetsu and Yoneko Kawamura), Dr. Hironaka Room (named after Dr. Bob Hironaka), Dr. Kubo Room (named after Dr. Tadashi Kubo), and the Dr. Sugimoto Commons (named after Dr. Masami Sugimoto).