Michael Bubl\u00e9 in Surrey for demolition of Safeway building on arena site<\/p>\n
Published 3:00 pm Thursday, September 10, 2026<\/p>\n
Demolition of an old Safeway store in Surrey began Thursday, Sept. 10, on the proposed future site of an arena, conference centre, hotel, entertainment district and housing. <\/p>\n
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke operated an excavator that ripped into the brick building at King George Boulevard and 104 Avenue, where plans are to build a 10,000-seat arena and event plaza with the Western Hockey League\u2019s Vancouver Giants as anchor tenant, in a move from Langley Events Centre.<\/p>\n
Michael Bubl\u00e9, Giants co-owner, was a celebrity guest at the festival-like ceremony, attended by city hall employees and a few fans of the pop crooner and junior hockey team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be a huge addition to the community,\u201d Bubl\u00e9 said of the arena, where he promises to sing at a grand-opening concert a few years from now.<\/p>\n
VIDEO: @MichaelBuble<\/a> on Surrey plans to build City Centre Arena at King George Blvd and 104 Ave. <\/p>\n Ron Toigo says Buble will sing at arena-opening concert, maybe 2030. <\/p>\n STORY: https:\/\/t.co\/ctyG3KCcoZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/yzszxQ1bPU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) September 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The projected $360-million development, which could be built by 2030, amounts to a campaign promise by Locke ahead of the Oct. 17 civic election, with opposition mayor and council candidates not sold on plans to build a big new arena in Surrey.<\/p>\n VIDEO: Mayor Brenda Locke operates an excavator that rips into the former Safeway store building on a site where Surrey wants to build a 10,000-seat arena and convention centre\/hotel by 2030.<\/p>\n STORY: https:\/\/t.co\/ctyG3KCcoZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BjTZ1FhWMh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) September 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Locke believes the project could generate $2.4 billion in economic benefits over the next decade and more than 2,700 jobs. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is an exciting step forward for one of the most significant city-building projects in Surrey\u2019s history,\u201d Locke said. <\/p>\n Surrey is now looking to hire a project manager<\/a> for the job to plan, design and construct City Centre Arena, a project to address \u201can identified gap in the regional market for a mid-sized venue capable of hosting spectator sports, concerts, cultural performances, conventions, community gatherings and other major events,\u201d says a Surrey website post.<\/p>\n Last June, Surrey and its SCDC real estate office announced plans for the arena involving a \u201cstrategic land swap\u201d with Wesgroup Properties<\/a>, owners of the former Safeway site.<\/p>\n May 29, 2021 was the final day of business<\/a> at the Sobeys-owned grocery store, just east of Surrey City Hall and Civic Hotel.<\/p>\n