Surrey's FAST FACTS

Surrey, British Columbia
Located on the United States/Canada border, 40 minutes southeast of Vancouver.  Bordered by the Municipality of Delta, the Fraser River to the north and the Township of Langley to the east.

Population
Over 462,000

Area
317 square kilometers, about 190 square miles

Parks, Greenways, and Bike Routes
Over 600 parks and greenways encompassing more than 6,000 acres.
Over 210km (130 miles) of signed bicycle friendly routes throughout Surrey.

Climate
Average summer temperature is 22⁰C (72^oF).  Average winter temperature is 5^oC (41^oF).  Average annual rainfall is 1050mm (41 in.) - the lowest in the Lower Mainland!

Canada/U.S.A. Border Crossings
Peach Arch/Douglas Border Crossing (end of highway 99).  Pacific Border Crossing (end of highway 15).

Financial Institutions
All major financial institutions are represented in Surrey

Medical Facilities
Surrey Memorial Hospital
13750 - 96 Avenue | 604-581-2211www.smhfoundation.com

Fraser Valley Cancer Centre
13750 - 96 Avenue | 604-930-2098www.bccancer.bc.ca

Peace Arch Hospital
15521 Russell Avenue, White Rock | 604-531-5512www.peacearchhospital.com

There are over 450 medical & dental offices in Surrey.

Educational Facilities
School District 36 www.sd36.bc.ca
99 elementary schools
19 secondary schools
23 independent schools
2 major post-secondary institutions

•  Kwantlen Ploytechnic University - www.kwantlen.bc.ca
•  Simon Fraser University Surrey Campus - www.surrey.sfu.ca

Foreign Exchange
Western Union Business Solutions
13635 100 Avenue | 604-582-0088
15241 16 Avenue | 604-535-0222 
www.westernunioncanada.ca

Surrey's 7 Communities

Surrey is currently the second largest city in BC and one of the fastest growing in all of Canada. Within the next decade, Surrey is expected to take Vancouver's place as the largest city in the province. It's no surprise then, that with Surrey's diverse array of cultures, our city has a truly international flavour. Surrey is known as the City of Parks, with over 6,000 acres of parks and green spaces beautifully sprinkled throughout a growing metropolis. The natural beauty of Surrey and the cultural opportunities lend themselves to many tourism and entertainment opportunities throughout the year. We welcome you to join us in celebrating all that Surrey has to offer!

Surrey is strategically located at the crossroads of the Pacific Rim, Greater Vancouver and the United States. A central location means easy and convenient access to two international airports, two international border crossings into the U.S., an efficient road system consisting of national and provincial highways, rail and a deep sea port which all provide ideal opportunities for transportation of goods and services worldwide. Surrey is easily travelled and experienced with use of the extensive public transportation system. Many buses stop in all communities and main centres, and the city is closely linked to Vancouver and other surrounding communities via the SkyTrain system, allowing quick travel between Surrey and its neighbours. This network is essential to meeting the demands of a vibrant city and its growing business sector.

Surrey is a diverse community that strives to celebrate Arts and Cultural opportunities. The Surrey Arts Centre located in the beautiful Bear Creek Park showcases local artists, performing arts and international travelling exhibits. The Surrey Public Art Program was designed to enhance the access to art in the community and incorporates art into the daily lives of residents and visitors alike.

Approximately 1/3 of Surrey is designated agricultural land and is still actively farmed today. Surrey is home to a large number of local farmers and producers, offering every variety of fruit and vegetable in season. There are two major rivers that run through Surrey, the Nicomekl and the Serpentine, which are both integral in preserving the natural habitat in the surrounding areas. In Surrey, the modern features and amenities of the city life co-exist with the rural and historic, giving Surrey its unique character and appeal.

Bearing seven distinct communities within its city boundaries, Surrey is a great place to live, work, stay and play!

Guildford

Guildford, Surrey's north-east community, is home to Surrey's largest shopping mall, and offers visitors four top-of-the-line hotels as well as dozens of fantastic dining experiences.  With parks, greenways, playgrounds and the Guildford Recreation Centre, this community provides excellent facilities and outdoor grounds for every family's recreational needs.  While in Guildford, make sure you check out the giant Canadian flag on 104th Avenue!

Whalley & Surrey City Centre 

Within Whalley, Surrey's north-west community, a new downtown called Surrey City Centre is being created. To encourage a viable and thriving city core, Surrey City Centre provides business opportunities, educational facilities, residential developments, and three of Surrey's four SkyTrain stations for easy access to the surrounding Greater Vancouver areas. Surrey City Centre is also the future home of the Surrey City hall and new performance hall.

Fleetwood

Moving slightly south through central Surrey, Fleetwood is dominantly a residential community and supplies residents with many fantastic parks, elementary schools and other conveniences such as the Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, which are all easily accessible within each neighbourhood. 

Newton

The west-central community of Surrey is Newton. Featuring the Newton Wave Pool with two waterslides and the biggest waves around, this community provides fun and excitement for both locals and tourists of every age. Along with senior and youth centres, recreation centres and arenas, Newton is home to many culturally diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment choices. 

South Surrey 

Bordering White Rock and the United States, South Surrey features many acres of agricultural land, golf courses, community parks, the famous Softball City and Crescent Beach. For the remaining months of the year, both residents and visitors can enjoy the best of sports here in Surrey at the South Surrey Arena which is home to the British Columbia Hockey League's Surrey Eagles. For the outdoor enthusiast, South Surrey has many opportunities including 1001 Steps Park in the Crescent Beach area and bird watching at Blackie Spit.  Historic Stewart Farmhouse is a must see for those interested in history and heritage!

Cloverdale 

Our seventh community in Surrey highlights many heritage facilities, a television filming location, and the largest convention facilities the city has to offer. Cloverdale is home to the city's museum, the authentic Historic Cloverdale, and the Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre and Fairgrounds which hosts the annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. Sundays in Cloverdale can't be missed as the Flea Market takes over the fair grounds and treasures are yours for the finding! Cloverdale is home to the Surrey Museum and Archives which compliment the rich heritage of the area.

Please contact the City of Surrey for more information about our great community.

Christy Clark: Honourable Premier of British Columbia

Christy Clark was sworn in as British Columbia’s 35th Premier on March 14, 2011 and was elected Vancouver-Point Grey MLA in a by-election on May 12, 2011. 

She previously served as the MLA for Port Moody-Burnaby Mountain (1996-2001) and Port Moody-Westwood (2001-2005). She has served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Minister of Children and Family Development and vice-chair of Treasury Board.

During her first term, she sat on the Select Standing Committee on Environment and Tourism and on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee for Children.

She took a break from government in 2005 to spend more time with her family. She worked in the media during her time from government, including as a columnist and commentator and host of the “Christy Clark Show” on CKNW.

Premier Clark brought the anti-bullying “Pink Shirt Campaign” to British Columbia to raise awareness of issues related to bullying in our schools, workplace and communities.

She has received several awards, including the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and the 2009 Woman of the Year in BC by the Consumer Choice Awards. She attended Simon Fraser University (SFU), the Sorbonne (France) and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK), studying Political Science and Religious Studies. She was born and raised in Burnaby and graduated from Burnaby South Senior Secondary.

About Surrey

Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It is the province's second-largest city by population after the city of Vancouver.

The six "town centres" the City of Surrey comprises are: Fleetwood, Whalley/City Centre, Guildford, Newton, Cloverdale, and South Surrey.

History

Surrey became incorporated in 1879, and encompasses land formerly occupied by a number of Halqemeylem-speaking aboriginal groups. When Englishman H.J. Brewer looked across the Fraser River from New Westminster and saw a land reminiscent of his native County of Surrey in England, the settlement of Surrey was placed on the map. The area then comprised forests of douglas-fir,fir, red cedar, hemlock, blackberry bushes, and cranberry bogs. A portion of present-day Whalley (named after Harry Whalley, who owned and operated a gas bar at the bend in King George Blvd, (formerly King George Highway) at 108 Avenue, "Whalley's Corner") was used as a burial ground by the Kwantlen (or Qw’ontl’en) Nation.

The Peace Arch on the Canadian side is located in Surrey

Settlers arrived first in Cloverdale and parts of South Surrey, mostly to farm, fish, harvest oysters, or set up small stores. Once the Pattullo Bridge was erected in 1937, the way was open for Surrey to expand. In the post-war 1950s, North Surrey's neighbourhoods filled with single family homes and Surrey (not yet a city) became a bedroom community, absorbing commuters who worked in Burnaby or Vancouver.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Surrey witnessed unprecedented growth, as people from different parts of Canada and the world, particularly Asia, began to make the municipality their home. Surrey is projected to surpass the city of Vancouver as the most populous city in BC by 2020.

Geography and climate

The city is characterized by low population density urban sprawl, typical of western North America, which includes areas of residential housing, light industry and commercial centres and is prone to strip development and malls. Approximately 35 percent of the land is designated as part of the Agricultural Land Reserve.The city is mostly hills and flatland, with most of the flatland in Tynehead, Hazelmere, south of Cloverdale, and Colebrook.

The climate is typically inter-coastal Pacific-Northwest: rainy, wet winters, often with heavy rainfall lasting into early spring, with mild, sunny summers and cool autumns.

Demographics

As of 2006, the population of Surrey is 394,976, a 13.6% increase from 2001. The non-minorities population is 211,445, or 53.9% of the city's population. The foreign-born population is 150,235, constituting 30.3% of the city's population. Visible minorities number 181,005, or 46.1% of the population, while Aboriginal people constitute 1.9% of the population.

As of 2011, the racial makeup in Surrey is as follows:

• 55.4% White
• 27.5% South Asian
• 5.1% Chinese
• 4.2% Filipino
• 2.4% Southeast Asian
• 2.0% Korean
• 1.3% Black
• 1.1% Multiple Visible Minority
• 1.0% Latin American

• Religion

  A predominant religion in Surrey is Christianity. The 2001 census indicates that nearly 50% of the population self-identifies as Christian, including Protestant, Catholic, other Christian, and Orthodox. The next largest religious group are Sikhs with 16.3% self-identifying.Just over 25% identifying no religious affiliation.

  Culture

  Attractions

  

  

  Surrey Museum in the Cloverdale area of Surrey

  

  

  The Surrey Arts Centre street sign at Bear Creek Park.

  The Surrey Museum is affiliated with CMA, CHIN, and Virtual Museum of Canada.

  Events

  Attracting 15,000 people every February since 2004, WinterFest is a day of live music, sporting activities, food, and fireworks, held at theCentral City Plaza.

  Since 1888, the town centre of Cloverdale has hosted the annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds everyMay long weekend. The Fair is Canada's second largest rodeo,^{[citation needed]} and it features 150 acres (0.61 km²) of family-oriented entertainment including agricultural/horticultural exhibits, a western tradeshow, parade, community stages, and the Pacific Northwest Firefighter Combat Challenge.

  Due in part to having one of British Columbia's youngest populations, with nearly one-third of all citizens under 18,^{[citation needed]} Surrey has become known for its annual Children's Festival,^{[citation needed]} which began 2004. The free, multi-day festival features circus and clay arts, world rhythm music and movement, popular children's performers, storytelling sessions, and a parade.

  Every year on April 13, the Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi, which often includes a nagar kirtan, or parade, and free food is often handed out. Roughly 100,000 people attended in 2008.^[8]

  Surrey has the largest Canada Day event of its kind in Western Canada.^{[citation needed]} Presented every July 1 at Cloverdale's Millennium Amphitheatre Park, the event includes amusement rides, a tea ceremony, booths, musicians and performers, and a fireworks show at night.

  In 2008, the City, thanks to the federal government's designation of Surrey as Canada's Cultural Capital for the year,^{[citation needed]} put on a three-day multicultural festival. The Fusion Festival celebrated over 60 different cultures through food, music, and dance. The event attracted 60,000 attendees,^{[citation needed]} and will return for 2009. It is expected that the Fusion Festival will become an annual event for Surrey.^{[citation needed]}

  Following the success of the Surrey Regional Economic Summit, held in September 2008 at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, inGuildford Town Centre, it is anticipated that this too will become an annual event.^{[citation needed]} The first summit featured BC PremierGordon Campbell and VANOC CEO John Furlong as speakers and a keynote speech by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The event attracted 400 business and community leaders for a day-long conference to discuss issues including public safety, transportation, and sustainability. The second summit is being planned, and will feature former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as keynote speaker.^{[citation needed]}

  Every October since 1991, Surrey has hosted the Surrey International Writers' Conference. This event brings established writers, agents, editors and publishers from all over the world to the Comfort Inn & Suites Surrey Hotel and Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Guildford Town Centre.

  The Surrey Festival of Dance, an annual event since 1966, is one of the largest dance competitions held in North America, with over 10,000 dancers participating in the multi-week festival.^{[citation needed]}

  The Surrey RCMP hold an annual basketball tournament with participation from all the city's secondary schools. The event is the city's largest annual sports tournament.^{[citation needed]}

  One of the lesser-known events in Surrey is the annual Nicomekl River Race. Every year, in early June, teams of four meet at Nicomekl Park in Langley, British Columbia to begin the race. Unlike most traditional boat races, the Nicomekl River Race requires that all boats be made by the participants. The racecourse extends from Nicomekl Park to Blackie Spit Park at Crescent Beach. The first team to reach the mouth of the river is awarded a prize of $1,000. Additional prizes are awarded to the most creative boat and costume. All proceeds go towards the BC Cancer society.

  News media

  
  

  In addition to news media from Vancouver, the community is served by The Surrey Now newspaper, the Surrey Leader newspaper, and the Peace Arch News newspaper (for South Surrey).