Linda Annis: Where are the private sector dollars?
Surrey, BC (June 30, 2026): Surrey First Councillor and candidate for mayor Linda Annis, says Brenda Locke has put Surrey taxpayers on the hook for 100 per cent of her 10,000-seat arena’s costs, with no sign of any serious private sector dollars.
“The mayor’s deal is completely one-sided with our city’s taxpayers providing the land and paying for the proposed arena,” said Annis. “If the private sector genuinely believes this project is a good idea and financially viable, why are they not prepared to step up and be an investor and financial partner? Instead, the mayor is throwing in city land and putting our taxpayers on the hook for 100 per cent of the project, whatever the cost ends up being.”
Annis said the deal announced by the mayor includes moving the project away from the original site, which was city land, to a new city centre site that requires the city to do a land swap for valuable industrial land in Campbell Heights. Annis also says she does not believe the $360 million construction price tag, and points to publicly funded projects across the region that are behind schedule and over budget.
“The actual cost of the Newton community centre is going to be more than that, and when you look at the number of publicly funded projects that are over budget and behind schedule, is it any wonder no one will take that $360 million price seriously,” notes Annis. “The fact that Brenda Locke’s arena is funded completely by taxpayers, with no real contribution from the private sector, tells you the project’s business case is risky and highly questionable.”
Annis said an arena proposal like this should be a private sector project, like Rogers Arena in downtown Vancouver.
“The fact that our taxpayers will put up the land and pay for the building, tells you everything you need to know about how the private sector feels about this project,” said Annis. “Even a partnership where the city provides the land and the private sector builds and operates the arena at their cost, might be worth considering. But this proposal is completely one-sided and the mayor is prepared to sign a blank cheque and put our taxpayers on the hook. This proposal raises a ton of red flags for Surrey taxpayers.”
Annis also questioned moving the Vancouver Giants from the Langley Events Centre to the proposed 10,000-seat arena.
“The Vancouver Giants are a terrific team, but they do not fill the Langley Events Centre which has about 5200 seats,” said Annis. “The average attendance at a Giants game is less than 4000 fans. So how will they fill a10,000-seat arena as the anchor tenant and what are the details of that agreement with the city?”
Annis said the mayor’s “arena envy” has blinded her to the real costs and risks.
“I’m not surprised that the Giants are solidly behind this deal,” said Annis. “It’s a great deal for them and it is only possible because the mayor is putting Surrey taxpayers on the hook. If this project could produce a viable financial model the private sector would be rushing to build it and operate it.”
Annis said she is committed to building more neighbourhood pools, parks, rinks and playing fields, not a 10,000-seat arena for a handful of elite hockey players.
“Every sport and every neighbourhood in Surrey needs more local facilities, that’s my priority,” added Annis. “I am not supporting this one-sided deal that puts taxpayers on the hook, and the companies who want to be part of this project need to know that our election is just 15 weeks away, and the people of Surrey will have the final say.”