Plans for a $11.3 million multicultural centre will provide a safe place for Canterbury's diverse population to express themselves, Hagley College's principal says.
Christchurch City Council Photo: 123RF
The college has asked Christchurch City Council for between $6 million to $7 million under the Long Term Plan for the project, which in total will cost $11.3 million, to help get it off the ground.
The college catered for students from year nine and upwards, as well as classes for adults at its campus in the central city.
Hagley College principal Mike Fowler said the centre would be used for classes, house migrant and refugee services, and provide space for gatherings and events.
Mr Fowler said the cultural centre would cater for Christchurch's increasingly diverse population.
"With new refugee arrivals shadowed for Christchurch for 2019, I would suggest this centre is a very timely investment in a city-wide council-funded community," he said.
He said he hoped the centre could be built while the college undergoes its own redevelopment in the next two years, although it would not go ahead if the council funding did not come through.
Afghani immigrant Alia Afzali said cultural differences made it difficult to feel included in the city.
"We need a place to go because we live in isolation, we have no where to go," she said. "Our culture is different to Europeans, we don't meet friends at bars and cafes."
Ms Afzali said she was also worried about the Middle Eastern youth in Christchurch because there was a lack of places that they feel safe gathering in.
"[Middle Eastern youth] are talented but they believe in their boundaries that control them. They can't express themselves as they should and deserve to," she said.
"They have no place where they feel safe to share the dreams and wishes.
"They live in isolation and suffer mental health problems ... there is no place for them to go."
Mr Fowler gave an understanding of this problem Middle Easterners face at today's meeting. He said he asked a female Middle Eastern dance group to perform for the council to illustrate Christchurch's cultural diversity, but they refused because they did not feel safe performing in public.
The funding will be considered as part of the council's Long Term Plan, which will finalised in the coming months.
