Sport Tourism Strategy Message from the Mayor

As BC’s fastest growing city, Surrey is the premier place for hosting sporting events and is the Tournament Capital for the Lower Mainland. Since 2017, Surrey has hosted over 166 sport tournaments, including 5 international, 6 national, and 17 provincial events. In 2019, we are proud to be the host city for WickFest, a female hockey festival Message established by six-time Olympian and multiple gold medalist Hayley from the Chair Wickenheiser. As a Council, we are committed to Our Surrey Sport Tourism Strategy investing smartly in our sports and continues to advance through recreational facilities. This year we collaboration with industry leaders will be opening three new ice sheets to ensure that the sporting events in Bridgeview in North Surrey and we host reflect the interests of our Introduction 4 Contents design work has begun on a world community – while being responsible, sound investments. Upcoming Initiatives 8 class track and field stadium in Bear Creek Park in Newton. We are proud As we expand sport hosting of our high quality and diverse sport Hosting 9 opportunities through the new North offerings we have in Surrey. With Surrey Sport and Ice Complex and the our modern facilities, playing fields, Bear Creek Park stadium, our goal is swimming pools and ice rinks, Surrey to deliver world-class experiences for is a destination that can comfortably both residents and visitors throughout host events through all seasons. the year. I invite you to explore all that Surrey has to offer. Sincerely, Councillor Laurie Guerra Chair of the Parks, Recreation Sincerely, Mayor Doug McCallum & Culture Committee

2 | CITY OF SURREY - SPORT SURREY TOURISM STRATEGY CITY OF SURREY - SPORT SURREY TOURISM STRATEGY | 3 The Tourism Surrey Sport Strategy has been The Strategy will be implemented by: developed to advance the City of Surrey Working closely with our partners to be Supporting event organizers from the Establishing strong partnerships and as a leader in the Sport Tourism industry, advocates for the development of sport bid stage to the planning stage of supporting local sport organizations, hosting in the City of Surrey. their event through Sport Surrey by particularly youth sports. maximizing both economic benefits and providing exceptional customer service Actively seeking out bid opportunities to to participants, spectators and the sport Tracking and evaluating the results and sport development opportunities. host provincial, national and international tourism community. benefits of hosting major sport tourism sporting events. events. Advocating for sport facilities benefitting The Sport Surrey Strategy will establish Surrey Hosting opportunities on the unique both residents and sport tourism. as a premier sport tourism destination in the physical and geographical assets in Surrey, taking full advantage of our exiting assets. Pacific Northwest and while balancing community needs with sport tourism development.

4 | CITY OF SURREY - SPORT SURREY TOURISM STRATEGY CITY OF SURREY - SPORT SURREY TOURISM STRATEGY | 5 Sport Surrey has jointly been developed by the City of Surrey and Discover Surrey to be a central resource to assist bid submissions and to support tournament organizers and rights holders ensuring a successful event.

Some examples of high calibre sporting events that have been hosted in Surrey include:

Ball Hockey Western Challenge Cup Canadian Collegiate Athletic Women’s Ringette BC Provincials BC Amateur Golf Championships Soccer National Championships Rugged Maniac BC High School Ultimate Championships Canada Cup International Softball Championship Skate BC Super Series BC High School Soccer Championships Cloverdale Rodeo SX Cup International Soccer Tournament BC Junior Development Track and Field Colour Me Rad 5K Run Syncro BC Regional Championships Championships Flowerbowl Ultimate Tournament Whitecaps Adidas Cup BC Provincial Diving Championships Goalball Vancouver Whitecaps College Showcase BC Summer Games Hargobind International Wrestling Championships Water Polo National League BC Soccer Provincial A Cup Finals Hockey BC Peewee Provincials Wickenheiser Female World Cup BMX Mayors Cup Soccer Tournament Festival ‘WickFest” Canada Cup International Field Hockey Olympic Softball Qualifier Womens World Softball Tournament Quidditch Canada Western Regional World Round-Up Freestyle Championship Skateboarding Championships 6 | CITY OF SURREY - SPORT SURREY TOURISM STRATEGY CITY OF SURREY - SPORT SURREY TOURISM STRATEGY | 7 Upcoming Initiatives

Marketing Hosting Continue to position Surrey as a preferred location Continue to support the growth of international and and premier sport host for existing events and regional soccer events such as the SX Interntational targeted regional, provincial and national events Cup, Mayors Cup and Whitecaps College Showcase

Continue to build presence online with Sport Meet regularly with local sport organizations and events Surrey website, social media and synergies with rights holders to attract events that are aligned with the City Surrey’s unique attributes and assets

Identify opportunities with target marketing with Align with Surrey’s Festival & Event Support Team the focus to host sports unique to Surrey as well (FEST) as attract shoulder season sports and conferences Engage existing Sport Surrey Community Champions to Targeted marketing to key sports including soccer, support advocacy, events and sport hosting field hockey, para hockey etc. Expand Sport Surrey’s online tools and platforms to Explore opportunities for hosting esports events share information and related services, calendars of events, templates, venues, volunteers, news and Participate and have a presence at the Canadian other related information to better assist and educate Sport Tourism Association’s National Congress stakeholders and potential clients annually Partner with neighbouring municipalities to coordinate Target marketing to womens and girls sporting potential sport hosting opportunities events Engage with local and provincial sport groups Provide FAM tours with Discover Surrey to help secure future national and international bids

Encourage Provincial and National sporting organizations to locate their administrative headquarters in Surrey for potential training and event opportunities

SURREY ANNUALLY HOSTS THE Develop links to green sport initiatives LARGEST INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL Enhance storytelling of Sport in Surrey TOURNAMENT IN CANADA AND and highlight local Champions, events and THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE WORLD. stakeholders. AS WELL AS THE LARGEST SOCCER EVENT IN CANADA. CITY OF SURREY - SPORT SURREY TOURISM STRATEGY | 9 Capital Investment Open the new North Surrey Ice Complex in 2019 to WHY CHOOSE create additional hosting opportunities for para hockey and ice hockey tournaments in addition to meeting Surrey? community needs. Modern Facilities Premiere Competition Venues Strategically enhance new and existing parks and Brand new, fully accessible state of- 104 Soccer Fields facilities to support tournament hosting. the-art facilities for a wide range of 95 Ball Diamonds, including Softball sports, events and conferences. City complex Activity and Performance Sport Tourism Experience 77 Public Tennis Courts Measures Proven track record for hosting, 14 Synthetic Turf Fields Complete Sport Tourism Economic Assessment marketing and supporting a variety of 7 Cricket Fields Model Reports (STEAM) to provide standard post competitions at the local, national and 6 Indoor Pools (3 FINA approved) event reporting and analysis, incorporating event international level. performance indicators, visitor metrics and economic 5 Arenas providing 8 sheets of ice Affordability benefits. 3 Track and Field Complexes Wide range of competitively priced 2 Football Fields Continue to support the Sport Surrey grant program. accommodation and venue rentals 2 Rugby Fields Arts & Culture 1 Kabaddi Field Surrey is home to over 100 languages, Beach Volleyball major cultural festivals, and a Fairgrounds for adventure burgeoning arts and culinary scene. TO WHISTLER races and rodeos CENTRALLY LOCATED Transportation Multipurpose conference 1 VANCOUVER 7 Robust local and regional transportation and meeting spaces 99a AIRPORT network Open space for festivals SURREY 1

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Location 91 10 Situated north of the US border, Surrey 15 10 is centrally located, 40 minutes from 99 ABBOTSFORD 99 AIRPORT Vancouver and within close proximity to Vancouver International Airport and Abbotsford International Airport. CANADA USA

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STEVEN STEVEN

PETTIGREW COUNCILLOR PATTON ALLISON COUNCILLOR NAGRA MANDEEP COUNCILLOR 604.598.5899 \ sportsurrey.com \ LOCKE BRENDA BRENDA COUNCILLOR COUNCILLOR JACK HUNDIAL JACK LAURIE LAURIE GUERRA COUNCILLOR 13450 104 AVENUE, SURREY, BC CANADA V3T 1V8 BC CANADA SURREY, AVENUE, 104 13450 COUNCILLOR DOUG ELFORD COUNCILLOR LINDA ANNIS LINDA City of Surrey Council City of Surrey

MAYOR DOUG MCCALLUM

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