Surrey accused of hiding the cost of arena plan

The City of Surrey is being accused of a lack of transparency over the real cost of the proposed arena.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation filed freedom-of-information request, but the cost details of the 10,000-seat arena proposal were returned black out.

“Surrey taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability whenever the government spends their money,” said Carson Binda, B.C. director for the CTF. “Surrey city hall is asking taxpayers to bankroll a mega project while refusing to release the numbers that taxpayers need to decide if this is a good deal.” 

The CTF requested documents showing cost estimates and business cases and the city provided a heavily redacted report by the Chicago-based real estate consultant Hunden Partners. 

Many of the city’s core financial estimates — including construction costs, operating projections and even basic tax-revenue projections — were redacted. Entire tables and financial projections were fully censored, as well as information around potential anchor tenants.

“If city hall wants Surrey taxpayers to pay for a stadium and entertainment district, it shouldn’t be hiding behind redactions,” Binda said. “When entire pages are blocked by black ink, taxpayers start to wonder what the city is trying to hide.”

The City of Surrey issued a response to the accusation, saying a business plan is still being developed.

“At the regular council meeting on Oct. 20, council endorsed updates to the City Centre plan, including continued support for developing an entertainment district,” says a statement from the city. “This allowed City staff to start preparing a business plan and cost estimates for the arena. The City has been seeking a private partner to help fund, build and operate the facility, with additional contributions expected from naming rights, pouring rights, marketing agreements and tenanting. The Hunden report from October 2024 was a high-level, preliminary document that did not account for detailed arena design or the City’s expectation that the project be financed in part by private contributions, not solely by taxpayers. Once the design and estimates are finalized, staff will be able to advise council on a cost. The City is committed to transparency and providing residents with accurate and responsible information, and has emphasized that the project will be funded through a mix of sources.”

Surrey Coun. Linda Annis, who is also running for mayor, said the situation surrounding the cost of the arena, and the city not providing numbers to the CTF, is concerning.

“Brenda Locke’s arena envy isn’t a good enough reason to put Surrey taxpayers on the hook, particularly when every neighbourhood in our city needs more parks, pools, rinks, and playing fields,” said Annis. “I hope the Canadian Taxpayers Federation will continue to press for transparency and accountability around this proposal from the mayor.”

Annis said the PNE’s 10,000-seat amphitheatre, which is now costing three times the original budget, is a cautionary example for Surrey taxpayers.

“I would be very careful about accepting any details or numbers from Brenda Locke at face value, and even more nervous if she is making our taxpayers pay for any part of her proposal,” explained Annis. “At the same time, I believe that any project and cost like this should be put in front of our taxpayers in a referendum. But I know from experience that the mayor will try and avoid that at all costs. She’d rather sideline Surrey residents, then surprise them with the bill.”

Annis said the new Newton community centre is costing more than $300 million, so she expects the mayor’s 10,000-seat arena to cost more than $600 million.