Downsizing in Surrey

Population is approx: 468,251

Surrey owes its name to English geography. New Westminster municipal clerk H.J. Brewer looked across the Fraser River in 1879 and saw a land that reminded him of his hometown in Surrey, England. Since Surrey, England is located just across the River Thames from Westminster, England, H.J. Brewer decided that the city located opposite New Westminster, BC on the Fraser River would be called Surrey, BC.

Surrey is seven years older than Vancouver and was incorporated in 1879.

Surrey is currently the second largest city in BC based on population with over 460,000 people and the largest city in BC based on land area of 317 square km

Surrey is in close proximity to five major highways, four railways, deep-sea docking facilities and an international airport.

The SkyTrain rapid transit line means Vancouver is less than 35 minutes away via public transit.

Surrey comprises seven communities: Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Guildford, Newton, South Surrey, City Centre and Whalley.

Surrey is the only community in BC with two International Border Crossings – Peace Arch Crossing & Pacific Truck Crossing. The Canada/U.S. border puts City Centre businesses within easy access of local, national and world markets.

Surrey boasts over 6,000 acres of passive and active parkland and green space and over 210 km (130 mi) of signed cycling routes.  35% of the land is designated agricultural and is still being farmed today

The Peace Arch at Peace Arch Provincial Park was the first world's first Peace Arch and was completed in 1921.  It was built to celebrate 100 years of peace between Canada and the U.S.A.  The arch was built by workmen from both sides, who laboured to complete a monument that would last forever. The arch, facing north and south, half in each country, is built along classic Greek-Doric design and rises to a height of 67 feet.

Surrey currently has 73 listings on the Canada's Historic Places Registry where new historical places are added regularly.

Sports

Surrey has produced some notable athletes. Daniel Igali, a 2000 Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler, lives in Surrey. National Hockey League players who were either born or played in Surrey include Bob Rouse, Gary Nylund, Mark Janssens, Colton Gillies, Colin Fraser, Curtis Fraser, and Scott Gomez.

Surrey is home to the BCJHL team the Surrey Eagles & Canada's first Kabaddi specific stadium.

Music & Movies

Sultry pop singer Elise Estrada, who has toured with Rihanna and Enrique Iglesias, is a name to watch from Surrey.  

Lady Gaga made her Metro Vancouver performance debut at Guildford's Mirage nightclub in 2008.

Celebrity watchers were excited when the movies New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn (starring Robert Pattinson), based on the Twilight book series, was filmed in South Surrey.

The acclaimed TV series, Smallville was frequently filmed in Cloverdale.

Surrey's Famous People

Nuvraj Bassi, professional football player

Lisa Brokop, singer

Chuck Cadman, politician

Gina Choi, South Korean singer

Sukh Dhaliwal, politician

Colin Fraser, professional hockey player; forward for the Los Angeles Kings

Curtis Fraser, professional hockey player; forward for the Lake Erie Monsters

Kamal Heer, Punjabi Singer

Jacob Hoggard, lead singer for the rock band, Hedley

Daniel Igali, 2000 Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler

Britt Irvin, actress, singer; 2008 Leo Award Nominee

Jazzy B, singer

Adam Loewen, professional baseball player; infielder/outfielder for the New York Mets

Brad Lukowich, professional hockey player; forward for the Texas Stars

Harbhajan Mann, Punjabi singer

Gary Nylund, former professional hockey player (Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Islanders) 

Prab Rai, hockey player; prospect for the Vancouver Canucks

Gordon Rice, artist

Sangtar, Punjabi songwriter

Kalib Starnes, professional mixed martial artist

John Tenta, professional wrestler, known as Earthquake

Aaron Voros, professional hockey player; forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Manmohan Waris, Punjabi singer

Daniel Wesley, singer/songwriter

Surrey's Staple Events

Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair – 3rd largest in North America, 2nd largest in Canada

Children's Festival

Vaisakhi

Canada Day Celebrations

Fusion Festival

Surrey Festival of Dance

Cloverdale Blueberry Festival

International Writers' Conference

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