History of The Budokan of Los Angeles

The Budokan of Los Angeles, Downtown's new sports and activities center, has been a dream of the Little Tokyo Community for more than three decades.  Once the thriving heart of Japanese American culture in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo now faces the challenge of appealing to future generations while maintaining its historic cultural identity.  To many in the community, the Budokan of Los Angeles has been the answer to this challenge.  For more than thirty years now, community leaders have fought for the BoLA.  Below is a brief history of the Budokan of Los Angeles.

1970's The idea for a gym in Little Tokyo is born, originally included in plans for the Japanese American Cultural Community Center.  This project was originally known as the "Little Tokyo Community Gymnasium", and plans called for a single-court gym to be located in front of the Japan America Theatre.  The single-court gym concept is changed, however, to Isamu Noguchi's JACCC Plaza.

1994 A series of planning sessions is held in Little Tokyo. Community groups agree that a gymnasium could serve to maintain Little Tokyo’s cultural identity as well as stimulate the area’s economy.  A group of students expresses that a gym would also help to bring younger people to Little Tokyo.  The project, unrelated to the JACCC proposal, is now known as the "Little Tokyo Recreation Center".

1995 Over the next 5 years, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC), the new developer of the project, explores over 25 sites in every corner of Little Tokyo.

2000 A rally of more than 500 Recreation Center supporters (image above) takes place in the streets of Little Tokyo to demonstrate their continuing support for the project.  First Street North site is proposed but eventually falls through.

2001 Councilwoman Jan Perry initiates a series of public meetings and hearings.  Hundreds of people express their support for the Rec Center project.

2003 Potential site at the privately owned St. Vibiana Cathedral site becomes the focus of the Rec Center campaign.

2004 The City of Los Angeles announces plans for a new LAPD Headquarters, which includes police parking at St. Vibiana.  LTSC and the city enter negotiations to build the Rec Center atop a parking structure.

2008 A Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Little Tokyo Service Center is approved on September 23, authorizing the development of the St. Vibiana site.

2009 The Little Tokyo Recreation Center project is renamed "The Budokan of Los Angeles", or BoLA.  A capital campaign to raise $15 million begins.

[LTSC Executive Director Bill Watanabe speaks at the Budokan Community Celebration]