AT A GLANCE

Vision

To contribute to harmony and greater spiritual understanding among all people by developing a shared sacred space in Vancouver that will serve as

•  a shared house of worship for congregations and communities of different religions and spiritual paths,

•  a shared house of learning about different religious and spiritual paths, practices and teachings, and

•  a centre for shared religiously- and spiritually-based social justice and peace activities.

Location, Size, Structure

The founding vision of the ISC Society has been to create shared sacred space in the first phase of the development of the new community of Southeast False Creek. Of immediate interest to the ISC Society is the identification of an auspicious site for the Centre. Given the limited availability of property in Southeast False Creek, should an appropriate site not be found in that immediate neighbourhood, the ISC Society will take steps to secure an alternative comparable, central, multicultural and accessible location in a Vancouver community nearby. Watch this website for new developments.

The total main space of the Centre is intended to be approximately 33,000 square feet, with a footprint of about 15,000 square feet. In support of sustainable community design, however, we are open to a range of possibilities about its size and structure. For example, we can imagine it either standing alone or as part of a mixed–use project that includes other appropriate community amenities.

The Centre itself will be a mixed use space. It would likely operate a retail store with books and gifts on spirituality and world religions. It would house offices for its congregational members and could serve to provide office space for allied organizations.

The Centre will be self-supporting. This will require a significant fundraising initiative. However, we do not anticipate any need for the City of Vancouver to provide financial resources toward its development or continued operation.

Programming

In addition to each congregation’s own programming and worship services, all of which will be open to the entire community, the Centre will offer classes and dialogue groups, public lectures, performances and community arts activities.

"Truth is high, higher still
is truthful living!"

Guru Nanak