Surrey, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma): Surrey First candidate for mayor Linda Annis says a combined conference and performing arts centre at City Centre provides a bigger economic impact than Brenda Locke’s 10,000-seat arena being billed to taxpayers.
“A concert or hockey game at the arena is a three-hour visit, while a conference is a three-day event with every delegate worth more than $1,000 in economic impact,” said Annis. “A one thousand delegate conference is worth more than $1 million to our city. The numbers are pretty clear — a combined conference and performing arts centre outperforms an arena.”
Annis said her proposed 1000-delegate conference centre and 2000-seat performing arts and cultural centre would be built as a public private partnership (P3) with the city providing the land on a long-term lease.
“Brenda Locke’s $600 million arena will be billed to taxpayers,” said Annis. “If the project was viable the private sector would build it, run it, and own it, but that’s not happening. That’s why I will build the conference and performing arts complex as a P3 with private sector partners who are ready to invest. This type of project is what you find in both Europe and Asia.”
In her Surrey First platform, Annis says the conference centre will cost $200 million, with the performing arts centre coming in at $170 million.
“The performing arts centre will be a state-of-the-art facility, similar in size to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver,” noted Annis. “It will not only attract international performers and Broadway shows but will also be a stage for local performances from our diverse community cultures.”
Annis has also opposed the 10,000-seat arena because she wants more neighbourhood parks, pools, rinks, and playing fields.
“Every neighbourhood in our city needs more local recreation facilities,” added Annis. “Knowing that there’s a waiting list for community facilities, why would we ask our taxpayers to build and pay for a 10,000-seat arena for a junior hockey team that attracts 4,000 fans to a game.”
