Surrey's Arena Future
Surrey Commits $360M for New 10,000-Seat City Centre Arena, Vancouver Giants Relocate.
Key Points
Governance of the project is being led by the Surrey City Development Corporation, a body Mayor Brenda Locke rebooted in 2023 after former mayoral leadership sought to disband it, signaling a centralized city-led development framework.
Land swap details: the city will acquire a five-acre parcel at 10355 King George Blvd in exchange for three city-owned parcels at 2750 194A St, 19165 39 Ave, and 12820-12842 96 Ave, with the swap valued at $116 million on each side.
The arena design includes two seating bowls with a middle level of box seats and an outdoor plaza featuring a large screen, highlighting a distinctive internal layout for events.
The project is no longer planned as a redevelopment of the BC Lions training facility; it will be built on the 10355 King George Blvd site, located just south of the Lions facility, and near City Hall and SkyTrain access.
Funding and cost specifics: the project has a net estimated cost of $360 million, with the city already committing about $200 million and funding included in Surrey’s 2026 budget.
The City of Surrey announced a $360 million, 10,000-seat City Centre Arena on June 30, 2026 — and the Vancouver Giants are moving in. Mayor Brenda Locke called the site "centre ice for the city and the whole region," signaling Surrey's push to become Metro Vancouver's second major entertainment hub Global News.
The Giants will leave the Langley Events Centre by 2030 and anchor the new arena near Surrey City Hall and the Surrey Central SkyTrain Station. The project also includes a luxury hotel, conference space, and housing. Owner Ron Toigo said the venue will "change the face of Surrey like never before" CBC News.
A Land Swap Unlocked the Downtown Site
The key to the deal was a $232 million land exchange. Surrey will give up three city-owned parcels — at 2750 194A St, 19165 39 Ave, and 12820-12842 96 Ave — and receive a 5.1-acre site at 10355 King George Blvd in return. Both sides of the swap are valued at $116 million each, confirmed by two independent appraisals North Delta Reporter.
The site is the former Safeway grocery store parking lot, just south of the BC Lions training facility. The city scrapped an earlier plan to redevelop that Lions facility. Bill Aujla, CEO of the Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC), said the land swap was "the key to unlocking" a new sports and entertainment district downtown Daily Hive.
City Bears Most of the $360M Price Tag
The total estimated cost is $360 million. Surrey has already committed about $200 million, which Locke called a "calculated risk." The rest will be covered through the 2026 city budget. Analysts at EY-Parthenon provided the land valuation. Locke said the city "checked and double-checked" to avoid accusations of a sweetheart deal North Delta Reporter.
City councillor Linda Annis pushed back hard. She called the deal "completely one-sided," arguing that taxpayers are "providing the land and paying for the proposed arena" while the Giants currently draw only about 4,000 fans per game. The new arena holds 10,000 — more than double that average North Delta Reporter.
Arena Design Targets Concerts and Big Events Too
The arena is designed for more than hockey. It features two seating bowls, a middle level of box seats, and an outdoor plaza with a large screen. The goal is to compete with Vancouver's Rogers Arena for mid-to-large concerts and cultural events Daily Hive.
The site sits directly across from the Surrey Central SkyTrain Station. That transit access reduces the need for large parking lots like those at Langley. City officials project the arena will generate $2.4 billion in economic benefits over its first 10 years of operation Global News.
Giants May Rebrand as Surrey Looms in 2030
The Giants have played at Langley Events Centre since the 2016-17 season, when they left Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum CBC News. The move to Surrey ends that decade-long chapter. Toigo confirmed the team is considering "modifying the jersey to include Surrey in it in some capacity" Global News.
Definitive agreements are expected within 60 to 90 days. The SCDC — rebooted by Locke in 2023 after the previous mayor tried to disband it — is leading the project. With a municipal election coming in October, Locke is framing the arena as her signature legacy project North Delta Reporter.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
12
Articles
42
Reach
54
