A timeline and survey for a new Surrey Sports Hall of Fame is now live online, with an announcement of the first group of inductees promised in 2026.
Plans to create a Surrey sports hall (or museum) have been pitched over the past six years, in one form or another, and now the City of Surrey is urging residents to share their ideas about such a facility, to celebrate outstanding achievements of Surrey athletes, coaches, builders and others involved in sports.
"Creating a Surrey Sports Hall of Fame is an exciting way to honour our past achievements and future dreams," says a post on surrey.ca/sportshall, where the survey is found.
Temporary exhibitions would be installed at Cloverdale's Museum of Surrey and "select community facilities," according to City of Surrey news release Monday (March 3).
Long-term, "a permanent sports hall of fame is envisioned as part of a future spectator facility," says on a post on the survey page, where questions cover participation and interest in Surrey sports, ideal exhibits, the primary purpose of a sports hall of fame, and more.
A timeline suggests community engagement and an inaugural call for nominations this year, installation of "rotating displays" at Museum of Surrey and website launch in 2026, and concrete plans for permanent Surrey Sports Hall of Fame by 2027.
Additional "engagement opportunities" are planned later in 2025, along with a call for sports memorabilia.
The idea for a Surrey Sports Hall of Fame was floated at a 2019 meeting of Surrey’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Committee. By 2021, the city pitched the concept of a virtual sports museum.
In 2023, local Ironman marathoner Elizabeth Model renewed her fundraising efforts to amplify a virtual sports museum with a bricks-and-mortar facility located somewhere in Surrey City Centre, where she is CEO of Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (BIA).
Wherever it's built, a dedicated space to pay tribute to Surrey's sports culture and history is long overdue, Mayor Brenda Locke says.
“The envisioned Surrey Sports Hall of Fame will honour the athletes and teams that have shaped the vibrant sports landscape in our city," Locke is quoted in the city's news release.
"This initiative not only celebrates our past, but it also motivates future generations to continue engaging, excelling, and contributing to Surrey’s thriving sporting community. In the long term, this permanent sports hall of fame is destined to be part of a future spectator facility. I encourage all of our residents to get involved and share their feedback.”
