Surrey City Councillor and mayoral candidate Linda Annis is urging city officials to let residents decide the fate of a proposed 10,000-seat arena through a referendum.
Annis says the multi-million-dollar arena — expected to anchor a new Entertainment District in downtown Surrey — lacks transparency and a clear business plan. “This proposal needs to go before taxpayers during the 2026 municipal election,” she said. “A vibrant city centre is important, but not at the cost of essential community spaces like parks, pools, and playing fields.”
Annis estimates the project could cost at least $600 million, warning that overruns could leave taxpayers footing the bill.
During the October 20 City Council meeting, the council approved amendments to the City Centre Plan to accommodate the Entertainment District. A staff report from the planning and engineering departments supported the arena’s “potential,” proposing a mixed-use development near Tom Binnie Park and Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, featuring retail and office spaces, a hotel, and event facilities.
Councillor Mike Bose, however, expressed concerns about financial risks, saying the arena “cannot be a drain on taxpayers.” Bose noted past examples where project delays had caused costs to soar, emphasizing the need for a detailed business plan.
Despite his caution, several councillors defended the plan. Harry Bains called it a “transformative project” that would boost jobs and development downtown, while Doug Elford said it marks “the next evolution” for the growing city. Mayor Brenda Locke echoed that sentiment, saying Surrey’s population of over 723,000 demands big-city amenities.
Locke dismissed criticism of the project, asserting, “We are building the next modern city in Canada, and this is exactly the kind of vision Surrey needs.”
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