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Austin's Asian American Resource Center to celebrate grand opening Sept. 28

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Published September 27, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. CT

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Asian American Resource Center will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting and street festival.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department facility, which is located at 8401 Cameron Road, will provide classrooms, a library/information center, assembly hall, and exhibition and display spaces. The opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m. and will feature four different cultural exhibits.

"The Asian American community has had this vision, and it's finally coming to fruition," said Victor Ovalle, spokesman for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. "I would encourage anyone who can to come out [to attend the opening ceremony]. It will be family-friendly and free."

The AARC will offer senior programming; social services; speaking engagements; and visual, culinary and performing arts, according to a news release. The facility is also available to rent for special events.

The AARC will provide a place for different members and groups of Austin's diverse Asian American community to come together, Ovalle said. Providing as many programs and services as possible for different cultures is important given how diverse Austin is as a city, he said.

City and community leaders will be at the Sept. 28 event to celebrate the center's opening, Ovalle said.

"We at the city of Austin are very excited to be a part of this historical moment to inaugurate Austin's newest cultural facility," said Taja Beekley, AARC manager, in a news release. "The Asian American Resource Center has been a long-awaited dream for many in the community, and today we celebrate in making that dream a reality. The grand opening honors all of those individuals who have supported the creation of the center along the way."

For more information, visit www.austintexas.gov/aarc.