{"id":774318,"date":"2026-07-01T23:55:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T23:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/774318\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T23:55:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T23:55:20","slug":"vancouver-giants-planned-exit-caught-langley-township-officials-by-surprise-daily-hive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/774318\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Giants’ planned exit caught Langley Township officials by surprise | Daily Hive"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week, the Vancouver Giants\u2019 planned future move to Surrey<\/a> caught the Township of Langley completely off guard, years before the team could actually leave the Township-owned Langley Events Centre.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Daily Hive Urbanized late Tuesday afternoon, Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward said his municipal government was not informed ahead of Tuesday morning\u2019s major announcement that the Giants have signed an agreement in principle<\/a> to become the development partner and anchor tenant of the City of Surrey\u2019s planned new 10,000-seat indoor arena<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If this mixed-use development project does go ahead as planned, the venue could begin construction in 2027 for a targeted completion in 2030.<\/p>\n

Moreover, as of late Tuesday afternoon, Woodward said he had not yet spoken with Giants leadership about the announcement \u2014 they had not reached out to him \u2014 and there had been no direct indication beforehand that the team was preparing to make such a decision or that they were unsatisfied with their arrangement at Langley Events Centre. But he did understand why it might have been kept a secret, given the nature of negotiations during the procurement process and any disclosure restrictions under the agreement with Surrey\u2019s municipal government.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re aware of their desire to be located directly on the SkyTrain network\u201d<\/p>\n

He did not frame the Giants\u2019 planned future departure in 2030 as a dispute with the Township or a reflection of problems with Langley Events Centre.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think they\u2019re unhappy with the Langley Events Centre at all. In fact, I think they\u2019re quite happy with it,\u201d said Woodward when asked.<\/p>\n

But Woodward says he knows the longtime owners of this Western Hockey League (WHL) team have always desired a home venue that is directly served by major public transit services, specifically SkyTrain. Not only is the Surrey City Centre site immediately adjacent to Surrey Central Station \u2014 which will see far greater regional connectivity beginning in late 2029, when the Expo Line\u2019s Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension opens<\/a> \u2014 but it is also next to a major bus exchange with 20 bus stop routes and TransLink\u2019s future King George Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In contrast, Langley Events Centre has comparatively limited public transit options, although it could be directly served by the public transit authority\u2019s future Langley-Haney Place BRT line<\/a>, which would connect to SkyTrain\u2019s future Willowbrook Station on the Surrey-Langley extension.<\/p>\n

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Main arena of Langley Events Centre. (Google Maps)<\/p>\n

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Main arena of Langley Events Centre. (Google Maps)<\/p>\n

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Main arena of Langley Events Centre. (Langley Events Centre)<\/p>\n

Woodward said he fully understands why the Giants may see Surrey\u2019s emerging downtown as a more attractive future home, but he emphasized the Township has no plans to chase the team or try to convince it to recommit to Langley Events Centre, which has 5,300 seats in its ice hockey configuration \u2014 about half the capacity of the planned Surrey venue.<\/p>\n

The team\u2019s existing lease is set to expire in 2030, which coincides with the targeted opening date of \u201cSurrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe certainly understand and we\u2019re aware of their desire to be located directly on the SkyTrain network in closer proximity to Vancouver,\u201d Mayor Woodward told Daily Hive Urbanized.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they want to go in a different direction with the City of Surrey, I totally understand that. Wish them well and all that. Like, I think it\u2019s a great announcement for them at the City of Surrey. I\u2019m very supportive. I think it\u2019s great. It\u2019s exciting. Another great venue here in the South of the Fraser.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woodward also noted the Langley Events Centre is not dependent on the Giants, pointing to the venue\u2019s wider roster of sports and community tenants.<\/p>\n

The venue was built in 2009, and the Giants did not call this their home ice until starting in the 2016\/2017 season, when they relocated from the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE fairgrounds after a decade and a half presence in Vancouver. It is also currently home to the Trinity Western Spartans, BCJALL\u2019s Langley Thunder, and CEBL\u2019s Vancouver Bandits, which first began using the venue for basketball in 2022. Besides sports uses, it also hosts concerts and community events.<\/p>\n

Since 2025, after being without an anchor tenant for a decade, the Pacific Coliseum has served as the home ice of the PWHL\u2019s Vancouver Goldeneyes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Vancouver Giants at Langley Events Centre. (Garrett James\/Langley Events Centre)<\/p>\n

\"Vancouver<\/p>\n

Vancouver Giants at Langley Events Centre. (Vancouver Giants)<\/p>\n

Major expansion of Langley Events Centre with more community rinks approaching completion<\/p>\n

In recent years, he added, the Giants have generally drawn more modest crowds.<\/p>\n

The Giants had an average attendance of 5,169 in 2015\/2016, which was their final season at the Pacific Coliseum. This was down from their peak average attendance of 8,760 spectators in the 2006\/2007 season. During the team\u2019s inaugural season at Langley Events Centre in 2016\/2017, the average attendance further fell to 3,848, with the average attendance during the subsequent years before the pandemic being consistently half of what the team could attract during their final years at Pacific Coliseum. Over the past three seasons after the pandemic \u2014 2023\/2024, 2024\/2025, and 2025\/2026, which was the team\u2019s 25th anniversary season \u2014 the Giants averaged about 3,700 for each season at Langley Events Centre.<\/p>\n

Each regular season, the Giants play 34 home games, with Woodward also painting a picture of a minimal revenue impact if the team does depart from the venue.<\/p>\n

Just to the south of the arena complex is the 2023-built Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre, which is a 6,600-seat soccer stadium for the CPL\u2019s Vancouver FC.<\/p>\n

Daily Hive Urbanized has also reached out to the Giants for comment.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Woodward said the Township is currently making major investments in expanding Langley Events Centre\u2019s general community and recreational spaces, benefitting minor hockey leagues and other sports clubs. The $149-million expansion of the complex is now approaching full completion<\/a>, providing five additional rinks in a stacked configuration<\/a> \u2014 including three ice rinks (including one with about 1,000 seats, and two with about 200 seats each) and two multifunctional dry rinks including ball hockey and lacrosse. This will bring the complex to a total of seven rinks, including the existing major spectator arena and single dry rink, along with the existing 2,200-seat triple gymnasium, 1,000-seat double gymnasium, and field house.<\/p>\n

This past spring, the Giants\u2019 existing home ice, the spectator arena of Langley Events Centre, received a new replacement centre-hung, four-sided video screen, with this Daktronics equipment being far larger than the previous screens.<\/p>\n

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Spring 2026 construction progress on the expansion of Langley Events Centre with additional rinks. (Sukhman Gill)<\/p>\n

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Spring 2026 construction progress on the expansion of Langley Events Centre with additional rinks. (Sukhman Gill)<\/p>\n

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Spring 2026 construction progress on the expansion of Langley Events Centre with additional rinks. (Sukhman Gill)<\/p>\n

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Spring 2026 construction progress on the expansion of Langley Events Centre with additional rinks. (Sukhman Gill)<\/p>\n

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Spring 2026 installation of the new replacement centre-hung video boards at the main arena of Langley Events Centre. (Centaur Products)<\/p>\n

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Spring 2026 installation of the new replacement centre-hung video boards at the main arena of Langley Events Centre. (Centaur Products)<\/p>\n

\u201cSurrey does not need a monument to Brenda Locke\u2019s ego,\u201d says Locke\u2019s opponents<\/p>\n

Woodward also asserted that Surrey\u2019s arena concept remains at an early political stage, and he is not treating the Giants\u2019 departure as certain until the proposed project is visibly under construction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to reiterate just to, you know, these are election announcements. And so I know that a number of Brenda Locke\u2019s opponents are already heavily opposed to the proposal,\u201d Woodward told Daily Hive Urbanized.<\/p>\n

Surrey Mayor Locke first announced her arena vision in 2024, which led to preliminary planning and feasibility work between 2024 and 2025 and the launch of a bidding process in early 2026<\/a>. This led to the selection of the Giants as the development partner and anchor tenant.<\/p>\n

Opposition city councillors and challengers to Locke in the October 2026 civic election have criticized the arena project over its costs and potential risks to Surrey\u2019s municipal government. They have also questioned whether it should be prioritized over broader investments in general community and recreational facilities, given the highly apparent demand from Surrey\u2019s rapidly growing population.<\/p>\n

In addition to the arena, the 5.1-acre Surrey City Centre site for the mixed-use development<\/a> will entail three towers, containing a luxury hotel, conference space, residential uses, office space, retail\/restaurant space, and a major public plaza. A consultant for the City of Surrey<\/a> also suggested it could see additional high-density development, convention space, and potential consideration for a casino.<\/p>\n

The arena component alone is estimated to carry a cost of $360 million<\/a>, with the City\u2019s 2026-2030 capital plan committing $200 million in direct public funding<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to being the new home ice of the Giants, the arena is intended to be a venue for concerts, trade shows, and community events.<\/p>\n

\"vancouver<\/p>\n

June 2026 preliminary conceptual artistic renderings of the Surrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre, a mixed-use redevelopment at 10355 King George Blvd. with a new 10,000-seat arena for the new home of the Vancouver Giants. (City of Surrey)<\/p>\n

\"vancouver<\/p>\n

June 2026 preliminary conceptual artistic renderings of the Surrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre, a mixed-use redevelopment at 10355 King George Blvd. with a new 10,000-seat arena for the new home of the Vancouver Giants. (City of Surrey)<\/p>\n

\"vancouver<\/p>\n

June 2026 preliminary conceptual artistic renderings of the Surrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre, a mixed-use redevelopment at 10355 King George Blvd. with a new 10,000-seat arena for the new home of the Vancouver Giants. (City of Surrey)<\/p>\n

\"vancouver<\/p>\n

June 2026 preliminary conceptual artistic renderings of the Surrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre, a mixed-use redevelopment at 10355 King George Blvd. with a new 10,000-seat arena for the new home of the Vancouver Giants. (City of Surrey)<\/p>\n

As well, the development is no longer eyed for the City-owned BC Lions training facility. Instead, just two blocks to the south, the City will acquire Wesgroup Properties\u2019 Civic District development site \u2014 the former Safeway grocery store property at 10355 King George Blvd.<\/a> \u2014 in an acquisition that involves trading $116.6 million worth of City-owned industrial and commercial properties to the developer<\/a>. The developer\u2019s Surrey City Centre site is also assessed at $116.6 million, making this a cashless land swap transaction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mayor\u2019s deal is completely one-sided with our city\u2019s taxpayers providing the land and paying for the proposed arena,\u201d said Linda Annis, a sitting Surrey city councillor and the Surrey First party\u2019s mayoral candidate, after Tuesday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n

Annis also suggested that the estimated $360-million construction cost appears to be conservative, given the current market challenges for construction and inflationary environment.<\/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? Instead, the mayor is throwing in city land and putting our taxpayers on the hook for 100 per cent of the project, whatever the cost ends up being,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that Brenda Locke\u2019s arena is funded completely by taxpayers, with no real contribution from the private sector, tells you the project\u2019s business case is risky and highly questionable\u2026 I\u2019m not surprised that the Giants are solidly behind this deal. It\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

Annis asserted that the arena project would be worth considering in a scenario where the City provides the land and the private sector is responsible for all costs for arena construction and operations.<\/p>\n

\"10355<\/p>\n

Wesgroup Properties\u2019 former Safeway\/Civic District development site at 10355 King George Blvd., the future location of Surrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre. (Google Maps)<\/p>\n

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Wesgroup Properties\u2019 former Safeway\/Civic District development site at 10355 King George Blvd., the future location of Surrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre. (EY-Parthenon)<\/p>\n

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Wesgroup Properties\u2019 former Safeway\/Civic District development site at 10355 King George Blvd., the future location of Surrey City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre. (Google Maps)<\/p>\n

In a statement that echoed similar concerns, the Surrey Now party says Locke\u2019s plan amounts to \u201cSurrey arena envy,\u201d asserting that \u201cthis is not city-building. This is political vanity paid for by working families. Surrey does not need a monument to Brenda Locke\u2019s ego. Surrey needs a mayor who can negotiate, who can build, and who can bring home real benefits before spending hundreds of millions on a risky arena project.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf this arena was such a brilliant business case, private investors would be lining up to pay for it. If the market truly believed this project would generate real returns, taxpayers would not be carrying the risk. Instead, Surrey residents are being asked to put up the land, absorb the financial danger, and trust City Hall when it says everything will work out.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the arena project has the clear backing of the business community, with the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade highlighting that the project will provide Surrey with a major economic engine, improve the city\u2019s business competitiveness, and provide a further major catalyst for growing Surrey City Centre, including an anchor for a vibrant entertainment district.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project is about much more than an arena \u2014 it is an investment in Surrey\u2019s economic future and quality of life,\u201d said Indra Bhan, Chief Operating Officer of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorld-class cities need world-class amenities. Investments like this strengthen our ability to attract new businesses, retain and attract talent, and create the vibrant, dynamic community that people want to live, work, and invest in.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This week, the Vancouver Giants\u2019 planned future move to Surrey caught the Township of Langley completely off guard,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":774319,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194299],"tags":[49,48,87674],"class_list":["post-774318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-surrey","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-surrey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=774318"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774318\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/774319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=774318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=774318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=774318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}