$200 million is just the start, and taxpayers will be on the hook: Linda Annis
Surrey, B.C. (February 27, 2026): Surrey First Councillor and candidate for mayor Linda Annis says Brenda Locke’s decision to spend $200 million on a 10,000-seat arena while cutting nearly $50 million from the city’s police budget shows she has her priorities all wrong.
“Does anyone anywhere in our city believe $200 million will be the limit of taxpayer dollars towards this project?” said Annis. “I expect this project to cost at least $600 million, and no one has shown me a plan or budget that says otherwise. Meanwhile, Brenda Locke is prepared to spend $200 million while she is cutting the Surrey Police Service budget at a time when we are trying to complete the transition she stalled, and fighting a battle for our streets against extortionists, gangs and drug dealers. What’s even more concerning is that $200 million will not be the limit of the taxpayer contribution, it never is. You only have to look at the long list of other projects across the region to see what happens as they spiral out of control and taxpayers are left to foot the bill.”
Annis said she strongly supports a dynamic downtown core, but wants the private sector to step up, rather than relying on taxpayers.
“Taxpayers made their commitment to city centre when we moved city hall there,” explained Annis. “It was a dynamic and creative move that changed the face of our city. But taxpayers should not have to pay for a 10,000-seat arena. If there is a solid business case to be made, then let the private sector make it and build the project. Taxpayers are struggling right now and they’re financially exhausted. Brenda Locke’s arena also ignores the local needs of our community, where our focus should be on more neighbourhood parks, pools, rinks, and playing fields.”