When I first moved to South Surrey over 20 years ago I lived directly across from the Crescent Park Annex, a small school situated at the southeast corner of 24 Ave. and 124 St. This old one-room schoolhouse opened in 1918 after being built on land donated by Ocean Park resident Benjamin Stevenson for use as a neighbourhood school. It was followed by the Crescent Park Elementary built in 1948 and Elgin Secondary that opened in 1993.
At that time the Annex was still being used for grade 1 students from the Crescent Heights neighbourhood but with declining enrollment at Crescent Park Elementary it was eventually closed. It is now open on rare occasions for various school board functions but the only time you now see children there are when they are in the playground with parents supervising them. The property is now being used as a defacto neighbourhood park that includes a covered play area with a hockey net and a tether ball pole (bring your own ball).
It was while researching this old school that I realized the historic photo in the Registry was not of the Annex but of another similar school. This got me digging deeper and trying to find an old black and white picture of when the Annex was first built. After futile online searches I visited the Surrey Archives site and eventually found a sepia tone photo of the Crescent Park Annex from when it first opened in 1918. That is the photo you see here, which I forwarded to Canada Parks so they can correct the photo mistake for this school building contained in their Registry.
All of this research into our local schoolhouse made me suddenly wonder what the original name actually was. It turns out it was simply known as the "Crescent School." In the old photo you can see part of the name plus view the original siding and gabled entrance. I think that after 105 years the time has come to restore the name back to Crescent School, possibly with the 1918 year affixed to it. Since it is a heritage building, possibly replacing the present stucco with siding and rebuilding the period correct front entrance could also be done. The building should be open for community events, rentals and as a filming location since it will likely never be used again to educate Surrey students.
Naturally yours,
Don Pitcairn
Local News
August 17, 2025
...And They're Off - For Good
The City of Surrey has yanked the lease back from Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE), the organization who runs both Elements Casino and Fraser Downs on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
GCE noted this means “effective immediately” there will be no more racing at Fraser Downs.
According to a press release sent out Aug. 15 from GCE, the City of Surrey exercised its option under something called “lease recapture rights” and terminated the lease for the racetrack. The termination includes the backstretch, the stabling facilities, and the 5/8 oval, which has been open for 49 years.
“We know this decision touches everyone who has been a part of Fraser Downs’ long and proud history, from the racing community and our dedicated team members to the many people across the region who share a passion for standard bred racing,” noted Rodrigo Perez, the acting general manager for Fraser Downs.
“We are grateful for the commitment and contributions to horse racing in British Columbia,” Perez continued. "Our priority now is supporting our team members through this transition and collaborating with the City of Surrey on the requirements to complete the property transition.”
There are currently no horses in the backstretch and no training going on at Fraser Downs right now. The track has been closed while GCE deals with a rat infestation in the six barns there. The infestation had been the subject of a lawsuit that Harness Racing B.C. brought against GCE, with the HRBC losing that suit earlier this year.
The press release also notes that the grandstand, which includes elements casino, is not included in the lease recapture. GCE added the casino will continue to operate “without impact” going forward. Yuk Yuk's Surrey is also located within Elements and they will be unaffected as well.
Fraser Downs opened on the Fairgrounds in 1976 as Cloverdale Raceway. The name was changed in 1996 to Fraser Downs. The track is a 5/8-mile oval for standard bred harness racing.
August 16, 2025
BNSF Train Blocks Waterfront Pier - People Crawl Under Train To Get Off The Pier
Witness video shows children and adults crawling under a stalled BNSF train along the White Rock waterfront on Aug. 13, 2025.
A BNSF train came to an unexpected stop along the White Rock waterfront on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, and stayed there for about 90 minutes, blocking access to the pier and leaving some pedestrians to make a risky decision.
CATHY SHUM who lives on the waterfront, said she heard the train “screech to a halt” around 6:30 pm.
“When we went for our usual evening walk, we realized it was blocking the pier. People would have been stuck on the other side.”
By then, the promenade was busy with families, runners, diners, and dog walkers enjoying the summer evening.
That’s when SHUM saw something she couldn’t believe: people crawling under the train and climbing between cars to get by.
“I think that’s very dangerous to be doing that. You don’t know when the train is going to start up again… the barriers are there for a reason,” she said.
“There was an alternative… maybe an extra 10 or 15 minutes of walking… but at least you’d cross safely.”
SHUM'S post on her FACEBOOK quickly filled with comments from locals calling the behaviour “stupid,” “horrible,” and “something I’ve never seen in 40 years here.”
Police in White Rock are asking residents to stay safe around tracks and trains after a dangerous incident near the pier head on Wednesday (Aug. 13).
At around 7:15 p.m., the RCMP responded to a stopped train blocking the crossing and saw pedestrians, including children and their parents, crawling under it or walking along the tracks.
“Never crawl under a train, enter the tracks against crossing signals, or walk on/along tracks at undesignated crossings,” said White Rock Detachment Commander, S/Sgt. Rob Dixon. “It’s illegal and your safety is not worth the shortcut.”
White Rock RCMP added that a stopped train can move without warning, which could lead to injury or death.
White Rock RCMP were alerted early yesterday morning to the fact there was a body located in the city of White Rock's water reservoir site on Thrift avenue just East of Johnston Road.
Fire & police convened at the area and quickly ascertained there was a body in the park portion of the property.
The scene was quickly taped off.
The investigation began to identify the cause of death and whether or not foul play was involved.
Surrey/White Rock Board of Trade to Host White Rock By-Election Candidates Event – September 15
The White Rock by-election is set to take place on Saturday, September 27 to fill two vacant council seats. The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade is pleased to provide an opportunity on September 15 for voters to hear directly from candidates about their plans, compare platforms, and make informed choices that will impact their businesses, families, and daily lives.
“The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade is committed to ensuring our business community is informed and engaged in the democratic process. With one-third of council seats to be filled, this by-election will shape the direction of White Rock’s future — from economic development and infrastructure to livability and community priorities. Our all-candidates event gives residents and business leaders a direct opportunity to hear from each candidate and make an informed choice. An engaged electorate is the foundation of a strong and vibrant city,” said Joslyn Young, CEO of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade.
The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade is a non-partisan business organization dedicated to advancing the economic interests of our community. We engage constructively with all levels of government—regardless of political affiliation—to advocate for policies that support business success. As part of this commitment, we host dialogues with political candidates during every election to better understand their vision for the business community and to ensure our members’ perspectives are heard.
IF YOU ARE RUNNING AS A CANDIDATE IN THE 2025 WHITE ROCK BY-ELECTION OR REPRESENT A CANDIDATE:
Please reach out to heather@businessinsurrey.com to register for the White Rock By-Election Candidates Event scheduled for September 15 from 5:30-7:30pm at Oceana Parc.
Attendees must register online at businessinsurrey.com as seats are limited.
If you’d like to submit a question for the candidates, to be considered for the event, please email it to: aman@businessinsurrey.com by September 9.
The City of White Rock invites residents and visitors to celebrate the official opening of the Generations Playground Splash Pad at Centennial Park on Tuesday August 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
Located beside the beloved Generations Playground, the Splash Pad is a new interactive water play area for all ages and abilities, designed to promote fun, accessibility, and cooling relief during the summer months. Construction began in late April by GPM Civil Contracting Inc. and was completed ahead of schedule this August. The splash pad features a variety of interactive and inclusive water features, including a spray cannon, a soaker dumping bucket, ground sprays and a spray tunnel.
“This splash pad is more than just a place to cool off, it’s a reflection of our community values of inclusivity, connection, and play,” said White Rock Mayor Megan Knight. “We’re proud to offer a space where people of all generations can come together, enjoy the outdoors, and create lasting memories.”
The City received donations and endorsements for the project from two valued community partners: the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation and the White Rock Firefighters Charity Association.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday August 19, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Centennial Park, 14600 North Bluff Road
White Rock Gets A Touch Of Jamaica
It's called Back 2 Jamaica Eats.
I know a lot of you have been asking for great Jamaican food and here it is!
Roadhouse Grille / King George Highway @ Stayte road
Led by experienced facilitators, Together Community Cafes aim to create opportunities for community members to learn how to build supports, decrease isolation, and deepen connections.
The Together Community Cafés are rooted in a positive psychology approach, which explores well-being, happiness, personal growth, and how we can thrive in everyday life. Together-SSWR is a collaborative and innovative collective working to transform mental wellness in our community.
We’ve heard from the community that there’s a real need for more safe, welcoming spaces to connect, share stories, and grow together. This Café is the first of three community-led initiatives, generously sponsored by the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation and brought to life by local volunteers, residents, service providers, and partner organizations.
Join us for a free, interactive session led by a local mental health professional. You’ll connect with others and explore simple, powerful ways to boost your well-being and lead a more joyful, fulfilling life.
2025/2026 Topics:
September 3, 2025 - Inviting Joy
October 1, 2025 - Cultivating Connections
November 5, 2025 - The Power of Me
White Rock Bi-Election Nomination Packages
There are two vacancies on White Rock council that need to be filled in September.
For Potential Candidates For Councillor
Nomination period begins Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. and closes Friday, August 22, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Voting takes place on September 27, 2025
The election results will be made public on October 01, 2025
