Surrey outlines a visionary plan for growth, infrastructure, healthcare, and housing in the 2025 State of the City Address by Mayor Brenda Locke.
Surrey is preparing to step confidently into the future. In her 2025 State of the City Address, Mayor Brenda Locke laid out an ambitious roadmap to transform the city into a dynamic, inclusive hub as it edges closer to becoming the first B.C. city with a population of one million.
With projects spanning healthcare, infrastructure, transit, housing, and economic growth, the mayor emphasized a future-focused approach rooted in fiscal responsibility and community values.
10,000-Seat Arena to Anchor Surrey’s Entertainment District
One of the city’s most transformative plans is the construction of a new 10,000-seat arena in City Centre. Envisioned as a major draw for sports, concerts, and community events, the arena will form the heart of a new entertainment district.
The surrounding area will feature hotels, retail spaces, restaurants, and conference facilities—bringing energy and economic growth to a walkable downtown core.
Surrey Healthcare Administrator Role to Tackle System Gaps
Acknowledging the growing strain on the healthcare system, Surrey will appoint a new Healthcare Administrator. This role will serve as a city-wide liaison and innovator, partnering with Fraser Health, SFU, first responders, and community groups.
The administrator will lead strategies to streamline services, promote preventative care, and explore groundbreaking models—like city-employed family physicians—to close equity gaps and improve care delivery.
Introducing the Surrey 2050 Plan: Shaping the Next Generation
To ensure the city’s unique needs are met in long-term planning, Surrey is launching its own 2050 strategy. This localized blueprint will set clear targets for housing, employment, transit infrastructure, green spaces, and community services.
Unlike regional plans that often overlook Surrey’s rapid rise, this vision ensures the city’s priorities are front and center for the decades ahead.
Recreation Investments Redefining Community Living
The mayor highlighted over half a billion dollars in community facility investments, including:
- A $66M expansion of Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre
- The $310M Newton Community Centre with a pool, gym, and 45,000 sq. ft. library
- Completion of the $132M Cloverdale Sport and Ice Complex
- Revitalization of Cloverdale’s Fairgrounds and Town Centre
These facilities aim to enrich community life and promote health, fitness, and cultural engagement for all residents.
Transportation: SkyTrain, BRT, and the 72 Avenue Corridor
Surrey’s infrastructure transformation continues with major transportation projects. These include:
- Groundbreaking of the city’s largest-ever road project: the 72 Avenue east-west corridor
- Ongoing construction of the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension
- Planning for the King George Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line
These initiatives will improve connectivity and reduce travel times across the growing city.
Record-Breaking Housing Approvals and Affordability Measures
With 6,297 new homes approved in 2024 alone, housing development is accelerating. The city also announced the Gateway project, which will add 1,800 new housing units in the downtown core.
In a move toward more affordable living, new policies will permit secondary suites in townhouses near transit—creating more family-friendly, multi-generational housing options.
Fiscal Prudence: Balanced Growth Without Breaking the Bank
Mayor Locke reaffirmed the city’s commitment to affordability with a 2025 budget that limits general property tax increases to 2.8%, plus a 1% road levy—one of the lowest rates in the region.
The budget also includes funding for 25 new police officers, 20 firefighters, and 10 by-law officers, thanks in part to $250M secured from the Province to cover policing costs.
A City Built on Values, Ready for the Future
Mayor Locke closed her address by highlighting the importance of collaboration, resilience, and innovation.
“Surrey’s spirit is built on kindness, hard work, and innovation,” she said. “Together, we’re not just talking about the future—we’re building it.”
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more updates on Surrey’s transformation and community-driven progress.
