New landmark to stand for friendship and cultural exchange

Construction work began on a major West Valley City landmark during the second week of January. By summer, the Utah Cultural Celebration Center at 3100 South 1355 West will be the home of the only authentic Chinese Gate in the state of Utah.

When complete, the gate will be 40 feet across and 22 feet tall and stand on the campus of the center as a symbolic tribute to friendship between West Valley City and its sister city of Nantu, Taiwan.

Utah Cultural Celebration Center Executive Director Ross Olsen called the construction of the Chinese gate “a very big deal” as an important symbol in a city as diverse as West Valley.

“It’s going to be a real icon,” he said.

Construction of the Chinese Gate began after the project spent more than 11 years in the planning and design phase.

The Utah Cultural Celebration Center organization donated space for the gate with the approval of West Valley City leaders.

Vital support for the project came from the local Chinese and Taiwanese communities, which raised money for construction, design and landscaping costs.

Over the last decade, the Asian communities have raised almost $200,000 to dedicate to the project.

“The [project] is quite an accomplishment for this community to undertake,” Olsen said.

The gate was designed by a local Chinese architect to be completely authentic.

Many of the materials used in the construction process, such as the tile for the roof, the stone for the statuary and carvings adorn the gate, will be imported from Taiwan.

Through the month of January, construction crews will be excavating the site to lay the foundations for the gate. The gate should be completed by mid-July and dedicated in August.

A cultural exchange program hosted between West Valley City students and youth from Nantu will be timed to coincide with the completion of the gate.

. The Utah Cultural Celebration Center is a nonprofit organization open to the public. The center hosts art exhibits and other activities designed to serve a diverse community representing more than 25 different countries of origin.

The center also hosts educational activities for youth and welcomes field trip groups from schools across the Salt Lake Valley.

Olsen said the Utah Cultural Celebration serves an important role in the community because it brings together people from diverse backgrounds to create harmony.

“There is no political motivation here. Everyone is welcome,” he said.