VJLS-JH
VJLS-JH
Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall

Building Renovation & Interpretive Centre Updates
VJLS-JH Community Information

For current status, please visit vjls-jh.com/status
This page updated: December 16, 2025

[ 日本語翻訳は近日公開予定です。]

Next year, 2026, will mark the 120th anniversary of VJLS-JH as a Japanese school. Thanks to the support of generations upon generations, we have sustained this organization on Alexander Street since 1906.

To mark this historic milestone, we are launching a series of special projects to repair, replace, and update our building to make it more functional, flexible, and beautiful. We will also be opening the Interpretive Centre to share the enduring history of the school and Japanese Canadian community. Exhibits will focus on the growth and vibrancy of the Japanese School during the pre-war period in the historic Powell Street district.

Our ultimate objective is to strengthen and enrich intercultural communication and understanding with local and global communities.

Our board of directors, volunteers, and staff have been working over many years to bring these projects forward. Now, thanks to many generous donors and funders, we are excited to work toward celebrating the history of the community by launching the Interpretive Centre in the fall of 2026.

If you have questions or comments, please write to pdc@vjls-jh.com.

What’s Happening in December 2025?

For the latest, please visit the status page: vjls-jh.com/status. 

  • Children’s World
    • We are working on roof replacement, almost complete!
  • 1F Hall
    • We are waiting for Building Permit from the City of Vancouver to begin construction of mezzanine storage space on the south end of the Hall, to begin early next year. 
  • 3F
    • The 3F library patio is being used as a staging site and transportation corridor for the Heritage Wing and 5F roof replacement continuing into December. 
  • 5F
    • The green metal roof on the 5F is being replaced this month. Construction material and debris may be in the way — please be careful. 

—
* “#F” refers to the building floor. For example, 3F refers to the 3rd floor. 

 

Upcoming Work

Fall 2025 – Winter 2026

  • Replace roof membrane of Heritage Wing.
  • Replace green sloped roofs on 5F of Y2K Building.
  • Begin construction of Hall Mezzanine Storage on south end of Hall

✅ Repainted the front of the Heritage building (September 2025)

✅ Repaired window sills of the Heritage building (September 2025)

✅ Installed 3 new HVAC units for heating and cooling 3F and 4F classrooms (August 2025)

✅ Installed heat pumps to provide winter and summer climate control, thanks to a grant from the City of Vancouver (July 2025)

✅ 3F – removed indoor atrium planter box and installed a platform for future exhibits (June 2025)

✅ 5F – installed hemlock ceiling; new flooring, window sills, and baseboards; fresh paint (May 2025)

✅ Y2K exterior – stucco repair, window sealing, exterior washing and painting (completed May 2025)

✅ 3F & 4F – wash & coffee stations (completed April 2025)

✅ 1F Hall – replaced HVAC (completed 2024)

✅ 4F Large Classroom (416) –  installed heat pump for heating and cooling (completed 2024)

1. What is the Interpretive Centre?

The Interpretive Centre will share the enduring history of the organization, focusing on the growth and vibrancy of the Japanese School in the pre-war period in the historic Powell Street district.  Incorporated into the existing school, and without interrupting regular school activities, the Interpretive Centre will welcome people interested in learning the remarkable story of how the Vancouver Japanese Language School survived throughout the Japanese Canadian Dispossession and Internment (for more information about this time, please see “Historical Information” section below).

2. What do you mean by “Y2K” and “Heritage” building?

We refer to 1928 building — which houses Children’s World programs, the kitchen, and Family Room — as the “Heritage” wing or building. The larger building, in which VJLS classes take place and which now houses the hall/gym, was built in 2000 and is therefore called the “Y2K” wing or building. 

3. Where can I find the latest information?

Please visit our status page, this website, or write to the Project Delivery Committee (PDC): pdc@vjls-jh.com.

4. Where is the funding coming from?

These projects are supported by funding from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society, City of Vancouver, and Heritage BC. Additional funds have come from generous donors specifically for the Interpretive Centre and capital projects. We, as a community, accept this responsibility to carry on the legacy and create the best future we can together.

5. Will parking be affected during construction?

Parking on the street and in the parkade will likely be affected by construction work from time to time. For the latest updates, please visit the building status page. Because of the unknowns that come with any construction, the dates we post for parking disruptions may be tentative and we may have to extend them. 

6. I’ve noticed a problem. How can I report it?

If you notice an issue or problem somewhere around the building or something that needs attention, major or minor, please report it to us using this form. Thank you for noticing and reporting. 

7. I have questions — who should I ask?

Please write to the PDC: pdc@vjls-jh.com.

The Project Delivery Committee is a committee of the VJLS-JH Board of Directors. It consists of board co-chair Yuko Suda, board members Lisa Nakamura Durrell and Paula Nishikawara, and VJLS-JH staff member Sabina Iseli-Otto. 

Additional FAQ for Students and Families

Click to expand for additional details about the upcoming renovations.

Click to expand on why this work is happening at this time.