Surrey broke ground on $311M Newton Community Centre Tuesday
Mayor Brenda Locke unveiled a 175,000-square-foot facility set to open by 2030, drawing criticism from a former mayor over the project's relocation and cost increases.
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Surrey held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday, September 15, for a $311 million Newton Community Centre on a site south of Newton Arena off 136B Street. Mayor Brenda Locke and four councillors—Rob Stutt, Harry Bains, Pardeep Kooner, and Doug Elford—participated in the event.
The facility will span 175,000 square feet and include two pools, two gyms, a fitness area, library, and child care. The project is projected to open by 2030. Newton is Surrey's largest town centre, with more than 160,000 people—larger than the Township of Langley.
"Today's groundbreaking marks the start of a new chapter for Newton, a new chapter for Surrey," Locke said at the ceremony. She also noted that the new facility "is going to be a much larger facility than the one planned by the previous administration. This is a little over double the size for the actual footprint and about three times the financial cost."
The current project replaces an earlier plan for a community centre on the former Rona store location at King George Boulevard and 70A Avenue. That groundbreaking took place in September 2022 under then-Mayor Doug McCallum, with an expected opening in early 2025. The site change occurred in 2024 under direction from the Surrey City Development Corporation. The new location, previously occupied by a PLOT community garden and homes (now demolished), sits near existing recreation facilities including Newton Arena and a wave pool.
The shift has drawn political fire. Doug McCallum, now a mayoral candidate for the Safe Surrey Coalition, criticized Locke's decision. "Brenda Locke became mayor, and the first thing she did for Newton was cancel it. Not because the project was flawed. Not because the money was short. Because it was not hers," he said. McCallum cited $4.4 million paid to architects to design the King George Boulevard site and accused Locke of making Newton wait five extra years. He promised to build "the biggest community centre and swimming pool this city has, and we will build it on whichever site lets us build the biggest facilities the fastest."
The facts
What is the cost and size of the new Newton Community Centre?
The Newton Community Centre will cost $311 million and span 175,000 square feet.
When will the Newton Community Centre open?
The Newton Community Centre is projected to open by 2030.
What amenities will the Newton Community Centre include?
The facility will include two pools, two gyms, a fitness area, library, and child care.
Why was the Newton Community Centre relocated?
The project was moved from the former Rona store location at King George Boulevard and 70A Avenue to a new site south of Newton Arena off 136B Street in 2024 under direction from the Surrey City Development Corporation.
