'Strong' market interest for 10,000-seat arena in Surrey City Centre, says mayor | Daily Hive

'Strong' market interest to build 10,000-seat indoor arena in Surrey City Centre, says mayor

Not the actual final design concept; preliminary conceptual design of the new 10,000-seat arena, hotel, conference centre, and commercial space project at the site of BC Lions' training facility in Surrey City Centre. (Perkins&Will/City of Surrey)

Surrey mayor Brenda Locke says the market response has been “strong” for the City of Surrey’s proposed new 10,000-seat indoor arena and entertainment district project in Surrey City Centre, with a major announcement expected potentially early this summer.

Locke provided an update on the project during today’s State of the City address, describing it as a transformational development that could reshape perceptions of Downtown Surrey.

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“Another iconic project is the 10,000-seat cultural event venue and entertainment district. Yeah, that is going to be so very cool. This is the kind of project people have talked about in Surrey for years — a major venue with concerts and sports and cultural events, hotels and restaurants and conference opportunities all in Surrey,” said Locke.

The mayor tied the arena project to the City’s broader goal of creating more entertainment destinations within Surrey itself.

“You don’t have to leave the city to have fun on the weekends. Instead, people from the other side of the river will be coming here. What a concept. It’ll be awesome. We’ll take their money. The market response has been strong, and we hope to make an announcement early this summer about that project,” she said.

“This is a transformational project with serious interest and major economic benefits, and when it is built, it will help change the way people think about Downtown Surrey. It will create the kind of urban energy a city of this size deserves.”

Existing condition:

Aerial of Whalley Athletic Park, Tom Binnie Park, Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, and the BC Lions’ training facility in Surrey City Centre. (Google Maps)

Future condition:

surrey city centre arena bc lions training facility site

Not the actual final design concept; preliminary conceptual design of the new 10,000-seat arena, hotel, conference centre, and commercial space project at the site of BC Lions’ training facility in Surrey City Centre. (Perkins&Will/City of Surrey)

Locke first revealed the concept during her 2024 State of the City address, when she announced a feasibility study examining the possibility of building a new 12,000-seat indoor arena or outdoor stadium in either Surrey City Centre or the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.

During the 2025 State of the City address, she announced that preliminary work had determined the project would take the form of a 10,000-seat indoor arena located north of City Hall in Surrey City Centre. In Fall 2025, the City-owned BC Lions practice facility was identified as the preferred location for the project, which would also include a hotel, conference space, retail/restaurant space, and possibly some residential and office uses.

Earlier this year, the municipal government launched the bidding process seeking a developer, operator, and sports tenant for the mixed-use complex anchored by the arena.

The deadline for shortlisted proponents to submit detailed Request For Proposals (RFP) submissions is next week, with the City targeting a contract award by August 2026. The City has also set aside a contribution of up to $200 million for the project.

Over the past year, opposition city councillors raised some concerns that the City could face significant costs to support the project, with some suggesting the arena component alone could cost $600 million. The City has yet to release a cost estimate for the project.

During today’s address, Locke also highlighted a wide range of other initiatives, such as a new convention centre with up to 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibition and meeting space and a hotel at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, as well a major new interactive art museum in Surrey City Centre and three new ice rinks for South Surrey. These promises come just months before the October 2026 civic election.

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