TG seniors looking at the draft building plans for the new building.

In February, 2012, for the first time in its nearly 38 year history, Tonari Gumi now owns its own building and has a home of its own! This would not have been possible without the generosity of Mr. Tom Kusumoto and his family. In addition, the JCCA of Greater Vancouver has agreed to sell the building currently being used by Tonari Gumi to fund major renovations to the new building so that Tonari Gumi can move there by mid-2013.

Tonari Gumi is grateful to many individuals who are playing important roles in helping in the creation of what will be the future home of Tonari Gumi. First, the Tonari Gumi Board of Directors, chaired by Joji Kumagai, continues to do its essential job of ensuring that Tonari Gumi keeps operating during this period of transition. However, two other key committees are playing an important role in getting this project completed. Overall responsibility for managing the renovation of the new building rests with the Tonari Gumi/JCCA Joint Building Committee, chaired by Greg Todd and consisting of Joji Kumagai, Heidi Hamano, Les Fugeta, Joanne Kuroyama, Gary Matson, Shag Ando, Jack Matsushita and Morgan Elander. Assisting the Joint Building Committee is a Building Advisory Sub-Committee chaired by Derek Iwanaka and consisting of Henry Wakabayashi, Kenji Ito, Tom Kusumoto, Dennis Shikaze and Takeo Yamashiro. The Advisory Sub-Committee is playing a key role in helping to select which group will design and make the renovations to the building. This advisory sub-committee will also help Tonari Gumi and the JCCA to identify and find both in-kind and financial donors so the new building can be fully completed and become both Tonari Gumi’s new home and another home for the Japanese Canadian community in the City of Vancouver.

While Tom Kusumoto was key to this project getting started, many others within the community have become involved in helping this new home become a reality. This is what community is all about!

Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Tom Kusumoto and his family who made the largest single donation ever made to Tonari Gumi of $1.75 million, Tonari Gumi was able to put an offer on and purchase a three storey building located at 42 West 8th Ave. in Vancouver.

Currently, the new building is being used as a warehouse with some offices. However, during 2012 and 2013, in partnership with the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens Association (JCCA), this building (in particular, the first floor) will be renovated to become the new and expanded base for Tonari Gumi. Our expected completion date is the fall of 2013, when we hope Tonari Gumi will be able to move into the newly renovated facilities. We are confident that our shifting to this new facility will signal an exciting new beginning for Tonari Gumi, the JCCA and the Greater Vancouver area Japanese-Canadian community, as a whole.

Here is a sneak peek of the new building from which we greatly look forward to offering our services!

Exterior view of the new Tonari Gumi building.

Interior view of the 1st floor in the new Tonari Gumi building.

Interior view of the 2nd floor in the new Tonari Gumi building.

Interior view of the 3rd floor in the new Tonari Gumi building.

On Tuesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 18, Tonari Gumi will be conducting tours of the currently, unrenovated new facility to give those interested a view of our starting point. After the tours, there will be an opportunity to look at some draft floor plans and for members, volunteers and supporters to share their views on what they would like the new TG facilities to look like in the future. Those interested in participating should call Tonari Gumi to indicate their attendance. Those participating should come to Tonari Gumi at 511 East Broadway at 1:00 p.m. on the days indicated above. Come share in the excitement!