SURREY — The aging ice arenas in Cloverdale and North Surrey will be replaced, announced Mayor Linda Hepner in her State of the City Address last week.
The city will be rebuilding the entire North Surrey rec centre to city-owned land 12780 110th Ave. in Bridgeview.
Coun. Bruce Hayne noted the north arena is far past its life expectancy, with the first sheet built in 1966 and the second in 1989.
The city has put out a Request for Expression of Interest to the private sector. The YMCA has shown interest in operating another facility in Surrey, Hayne noted.
He said the city would also go to market to see if there's interest in building a multi-purpose sport and entertainment complex and stadium in South Westminster.
"Certainly being adjacent to the SkyTrain station is important there and as well, it's going to help to start to stimulate the private sector and the revitalization of that South Westminster area," he said.
"That's a gateway to Surrey from the north, and right now it's not really inviting."
Back at City Centre, Hayne said the property currently housing the North Surrey rec centre would likely be developed.
"Quite frankly, with the development of City Centre, with city hall, the library and that whole plaza and what SFU is doing and so on, that real estate is and will be the most expensive real estate in Surrey for years to come."
In all likelihood, Hayne said it would be developed in partnership with the private sector, such as was done with the 3CivicPlaza project.
Over in Cloverdale, Hayne noted that the arena is the second oldest in the city's inventory.
It will be replaced with an extra sheet of ice, but it's not yet known where it will go. It may or may not be built on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
Asked what would be done with the Newton Arena, Hayne said the city is looking at acquiring land in that town centre to rebuild the facility.
"That facility and the arena there over time, that's going to have to be upgraded and redeveloped and probably on a new location within the new location.
"The final priority will be South Surrey for ice," he continued. "But those (in North Surrey and Cloverdale) are the priorities."
Both projects are in the fiveyear capital plan and Hayne expects to see them completed within that timeframe.
Other projects in the works include a recently completed Guildford Aquatic Centre, a new Grandview pool opening later this year, an East Clayton rec centre in the planning stages, stage two of Surrey Museum, a new Soccer Centre of Excellence, a new Grandview Heights park and an arts space and gallery in South Surrey.