“It’s about keeping a legacy alive, about remembering who came before, who helped build B.C., celebrating one’s heritage and remaining relevant in a changing world,” Hoffmann shares. “[VAC has] been a constant in my life and a place where I can connect with my heritage.”

Redeveloping their clubhouse

The VAC was established in 1935 by immigrants from Germany’s and Austria’s Alpine regions. According to Hoffmann, the founders desired a sense of community. Such connections were formed through a shared love of schuhplattler (traditional folk dancing), which persisted through the Second World War.

“VAC weathered the Second World War by keeping cultural ties strong without political affiliation: ‘Get away from politics and let’s schuhplattle,’” Hoffmann shares.

He notes that VAC’s goal of preserving and sharing German culture has remained the same, even as the club adapts to changing times. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they offered online events and safe gatherings, keeping the spirit of VAC alive.

“We adapted our most famous and traditional event – Oktoberfest ‘Das Original’ – into a ‘Home Edition,’” the president adds. “Our members and guests could order a full German feast and celebrate from home.”

The club currently has around 250 active members, including both older and younger generations. The VAC welcomes anyone with Germany ancestry or interest in German culture, regardless of nationality.

For years, the members gathered at their clubhouse on the corner of Victoria Drive and 33rd avenue. Opened in October 1950, its development was a community endeavour, funded by members pooling their resources together. The clubhouse is currently being redeveloped.

“While our redevelopment project is underway, we still need community support to reach the finish line,” Hoffmann shares. “The construction is happening, but we are focused now on securing the funds and resources to make the space fully operational and sustainable once it’s completed in late 2026.”

A legacy of togetherness

Their upcoming celebration serves as a fundraiser event for the redevelopment. The festivities begin with a free family-friendly afternoon event, featuring craft corners and face painting for children. There will be servings of lemonade and pretzels as well as music while attendees relax in the sun.

The evening event will take place at Jim Green House Studio. It begins with an update of the redevelopment; attendees can then bid on art pieces while enjoying MunChi German Food’s charcuterie pretzels and apple strudels. The evening will also feature dancing and drinking with Apex Event Production on site to provide music.

“We have singer Meike Juergens on the program as well for a couple of fun songs the audience will definitely know and love, and hopefully sing along to,” Hoffmann adds. “We are very excited to finally be celebrating together again and think this will be an amazing evening of connection.”

A raffle draw will also take place, with prizes from local businesses. These prizes include restaurant vouchers, winemaking lessons and yoga classes. While Hoffmann has served on VAC’s board since 2011, his connection with the club runs far longer. His parents were members of the club and recognized its important role in connecting with their German heritage.

“As a child, I remember going to dinner there for special events, such as birthdays, and I grew up with the music, friends, laughter, and language [of VAC],” the president shares.

Hoffmann’s favourite memories are of their annual Oktoberfest celebrations. With music, dancing, food and beer, he recalls the clubhouse coming “alive” in inter-generational celebrations of community. He plans to expand VAC’s programming, attract new members and pass on this German legacy of communal experiences – one that began with the stories and recipes of their German elders.

“I bet every German I know has at least one cake recipe of their grandma in the kitchen somewhere,” he shares. “The VAC always wanted to bring this community spirit to their guests.”

For more information, see www.vacbc.ca

To donate to the VAC’s redevelopment, see www.zeffy.com/en-CA/fundraising/donate-to-keep-the-vancouver-alpen-club-alive