Land swap led to 10,000-seat Surrey arena plans on 104 Avenue<\/p>\n
Published 1:44 pm Tuesday, June 30, 2026<\/p>\n
A \u201cstrategic land swap\u201d is part of Surrey\u2019s plan to build a new 10,000-seat arena at the corner of King George Boulevard and 104 Avenue.<\/p>\n
The former Safeway grocery store site, just east of Surrey City Hall, is a five-acre parcel of land owned by Wesgroup Properties, which will receive three city-owned parcels \u2014 at 2750 194A Street, 19165 39 Avenue and 12820-12842 96 Avenue \u2014 as part of a deal to construct City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre.<\/p>\n
The City of Surrey, city-owned Surrey City Development Corporation real estate office (SCDC) and Vancouver Giants hockey team are among partners in the projected $360-million development, which could be built by 2030. Giants owners plan to move their team to Surrey from Langley Events Centre.<\/p>\n
Surrey had previously targeted Tom Binnie Park and the BC Lions training facility site<\/a> for a new arena, but has pivoted to the 104 Avenue\/King George location, across from Surrey Central SkyTrain Station.<\/p>\n \u201cThis site, it\u2019s centre ice for the city and the whole region, really, and so when this opportunity came up it just was too good to be true, to be honest, and so that\u2019s why the move,\u201d Mayor Brenda Locke told the Now-Leader. \u201cThe BC Lions are still where they are, and they\u2019re happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Aerial view of @BCLions<\/a> practice facility in Whalley, which @CityofSurrey<\/a> had ID’d as potential site of new 10,000-seat arena, walking toward the new proposed site at 104\/KGB, next to city hall. Video I shot from top of PKWY rental tower today. <\/p>\n STORY: https:\/\/t.co\/CuMG1jZTEj<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iGXi4ESyPA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Arena details<\/a> were announced Tuesday (June 30) at Surrey City Hall.<\/p>\n Locke said the land-swap was completed with \u201cnot one but two independent appraisals to ensure a fair deal for both parties in the negotiations. We checked and double-checked.\u201d<\/p>\n At a public hearing May 25, Wesgroup\u2019s rezoning application for their proposed Civic District project passed a third reading for approval.<\/p>\n Later, a council in-camera meeting was held to maintain confidentiality and \u201cnegotiating position\u201d with arena project partner(s), according to Bill <\/a>Aujla<\/a>, SCDC president and CEO, who said agreements in principle have been reached with \u201ca number of partners.\u2026 The target is to have definitive agreements completed over the next two to three months. We\u2019re moving as fast as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n Aujla said a published report will detail assessment of the appraisal and negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the ideal site, and in addition to everything to do a land transaction to make it work, where you didn\u2019t have to pay cash, which would have hit budgets, it is strategically important,\u201d Aujla said. \u201cOn the flip side, they\u2019re going to actually put those lands that were not developed into development and create jobs in Surrey. So there\u2019s a win on that side too, when they develop those properties, because the city doesn\u2019t normally build industrial lands.\u201d<\/p>\n Funding for the arena project was included in the city\u2019s 2026 budget.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a major vote of confidence in Surrey and our vision for an arena and broader sports, culture and entertainment district,\u201d Locke said. \u201cWhen we say big things are happening in Surrey, we absolutely mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n The arena project would also include a high-end hotel, conference space and housing, \u201ccreating a true sports and entertainment district to attract investment and economic growth in our city,\u201d the mayor added.<\/p>\n Giants president Ron Toigo said \u201cVancouver\u201d would remain as the team name, although Locke said she\u2019d push for Surrey Giants instead.<\/p>\n Councillor Linda Annis, running for mayor this fall, says Surrey taxpayers could be on the hook for 100 per cent of arena costs, \u201cwith no sign of any serious private sector dollars.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the private sector genuinely believes this project is a good idea and financially viable, why are they not prepared to step up and be an investor and financial partner?\u201d Annis questioned.<\/p>\n She also questions the Giants move from Langley where the team typically attracts around 4,000 fans, not enough to fill a 10,000-seat arena in Surrey.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not surprised that the Giants are solidly behind this deal,\u201d Annis said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great deal for them and it is only possible because the mayor is putting Surrey taxpayers on the hook. If this project could produce a viable financial model the private sector would be rushing to build it and operate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Last January, Surrey\u2019s plans to build an arena in City Centre moved forward with a call for \u201cexpressions of interest\u201d<\/a> to develop the facility and for sports team(s) to play there.<\/p>\n