Demolition begins at site of new $360M Surrey arena

The city has begun its demolition of the area that will soon become the new arena for the Vancouver Giants. 

The Sept. 10 event saw dozens of community members come out to the 10355 King George Blvd. location to watch the destruction of the former grocery store currently on the five-acre parcel – including Canadian musician Michael Bublé. 

The $360-million project — which will include the 10,000-seat arena, a hotel and cultural event centre — was first announced in June and raised questions from other politicians about how beneficial the project would be for the community considering its steep cost. 

During her speech, Mayor Brenda Locke said the project is “for our community. It’s for our family and it is for the next generation … It’s about a child that gets tickets to their first [Vancouver Giants] game and thinks to themselves, maybe one day I can be a WHL player.”  

In a press release on Sept. 10, Surrey First Coun. and candidate for mayor Linda Annis said “this project comes with more questions than answers.” Annis previously voiced concern that the total cost of the project would exceed its current price-tag and on how seats would get filled considering the Vancouver Giants average about 4,000 fans per game.  

“Taxpayers are on the hook. Meanwhile, on the doorstep, taxpayers and voters are telling me they want more neighbourhood facilities for their families and kids, not a 10,000-seat arena billed to Surrey taxpayers,” said Annis. 

While at the event today, she did not stand on stage with her fellow councillors. 

The property was acquired through a land swap agreement, in which the city exchanged three city-owned parcels for the King George Blvd spot. Former Surrey mayor and Surrey Safe Coalition candidate for mayor Doug McCallum accused Locke of “bailing out” a land developer, which she has denied. 

Locke said that there are “investors in all parts of what’s going to be happening” and that this location is “an iconic” spot in all of B.C. She also highlighted the various other programming that has been happening in downtown Surrey like the Fifa fan zones, Canada day celebrations and Party for the Planet. 

“This project is expected to generate $2.4 billion in economic energy over the next decade … That means we’re creating jobs. We’re attracting investment. We’re increasing the tourism industry.”

As a co-owner of the Vancouver Giants, Bublé was also in attendance at the event. 

“I have spent a lot of the last 30 years in arenas, so I feel a real appreciation for what those places [mean to people] … they become part of memories. You can go see your favourite team, your favourite artists, and if you’re lucky you’re able to see both,” said Bublé.

On when the mayor hopes to see construction start, Locke said the answer is always yesterday. 

“The plan is this is going to be done by 2030, and we’re pretty good at sticking to our timescales in Surrey, so we will be pushing hard to get it done.”

When questioned by the media about the upcoming municipal elections and whether a new party, if elected, could stop the arena from being completed, Locke assured that all contracts have been signed and that “there is no going back on this project.” 

“We are ready to go. This just didn’t happen overnight. This has been something we’ve been working on … for a very long time. There’s nothing that the election [could change].”