The Vancouver Giants hockey club is set to relocate to City Centre Arena in Surrey, British Columbia, beginning with the 2030-31 Western Hockey League season. This move was announced on Tuesday, with the new sports and entertainment arena anticipated to be completed by 2030.
Ron Toigo, majority owner and president of the Vancouver Giants, described the decision as transformational for the organization, positioning it for long-term success. He expressed enthusiasm for the new venue, highlighting its potential to change Surrey and provide an outstanding experience for players, fans, and partners. The new arena is also expected to enable bids for premier events such as the IIHF World Junior Championship and the Memorial Cup.
New Arena to Anchor Surrey’s Downtown Core
The City Centre Arena will be situated in the heart of Surrey’s downtown core, known as City Centre, with the Giants serving as its anchor tenant. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to be the centrepiece of Surrey’s new entertainment district. It will feature an approximate seating capacity of 10,000 for hockey games, concerts, and various community events.
The development surrounding the arena is comprehensive, including a hotel with conference facilities, retail spaces, office units, and commercial areas, all connected by an enclosed galleria. This broader project aims to create a vibrant entertainment district and attract significant investment and economic growth to the city.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke welcomed the Vancouver Giants as the future anchor tenant, stating that the announcement reflects confidence in Surrey’s future. She emphasized that the project will create a world-class venue, serve residents, attract major events, support local businesses, and contribute to building a dynamic downtown entertainment hub.
The arena, currently named the City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre, is planned to be built on land acquired by the city. This specific property will be secured through a strategic land swap agreement. Under this arrangement, the city will acquire a five-acre parcel at 10355 King George Blvd. in exchange for three city-owned parcels located at 2750 194A St., 19165 39 Ave., and 12820-12842 96 Ave. According to a report from EY-Parthenon, this swap represents an exchange of $116 million on each side.
Economic Impact and Community Debate
The proposed 10,000-seat arena project carries an estimated cost of $360 million. Mayor Locke highlighted the economic benefits, stating that bringing the arena to Surrey means jobs, investment, increased conference capacity, and major sports, arts, and entertainment opportunities. She noted that the funding for the project was included in Surrey’s 2026 budget and is expected to generate approximately $2.4 billion in economic activity over the next decade, supporting 1,200 jobs in Surrey and more than double that across the province.
The arena project is a significant component of Surrey’s City Centre Plan, which was initially approved in 2017 and has undergone several updates since then. The location for the project is strategically chosen, situated directly across from City Hall and the Surrey Central SkyTrain station.
However, the announcement has also drawn questions from some local officials. Councillor Linda Annis questioned the partnership, particularly regarding the Giants’ average attendance, suggesting it might not fill a 10,000-seat arena given that their current venue, the Langley Events Centre, has a capacity of about 5,500. She also raised concerns about the lack of private sector investment in the project, stating that the deal appears one-sided with taxpayers providing the land and funding for the proposed arena. Annis further questioned the final price tag and suggested that the city should prioritize public recreation facilities across all neighbourhoods in Surrey.
The Giants will relocate from the Langley Events Centre if the plan proceeds as outlined, with their move to Surrey anticipated to begin at the start of the 2030-31 Western Hockey League season.
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Source: chl.ca
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
