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 standardbred 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 and racebook 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 standardbred harness racing.
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!
White Rock Fire Rescue reminds visitors and residents that beach fires at the city’s Waterfront are not permitted. Beach fires put people at risk and can earn you a minimum fine of $150 or more.
Each spring and summer, White Rock Fire Rescue and the White Rock RCMP respond to beach fires at White Rock’s Waterfront. The City’s fire department has responded to 14 calls over the past two months.
White Rock has a bylaw that prohibits open-air burning, including beach fires. Open-air burning can result in a minimum fine of $150, and a fine of up to $1,150 during a Provincial fire ban. See the bylaw details here: Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw 2057 (PDF).
“Beach fires may seem harmless, but they pose serious risks to public safety, property, and the environment,” said White Rock Fire Chief Brad Davie. “We urge everyone to respect the bylaw and help keep our Waterfront safe and enjoyable for all.”
Burn risk: Adults, children, and pets have been seriously injured by fires buried under sand instead of being fully extinguished with water.
Environmental and property damage: Fires threaten ecologically sensitive plants and trees and can endanger nearby homes and businesses.
Emergency response strain: Fires along the Waterfront are often hard to access, tying up fire and police resources and delaying response to other emergencies in the city.
Air quality issues: Smoke and odours from beach fires can negatively affect residents, businesses, and visitors near the Waterfront.
Surrey developers finally admitting that foreign money is crucial to them
Developers in Surrey are pushing senior levels of government to turn on the tap of foreign money, a stunning admission after a decade of denials that foreign investment was a consequential part of the Metro Vancouver real estate market.
And it all comes amid a new poll that says Canadians want strict limits on foreign investment in real estate – something the B.C. and federal governments say will continue.
Surrey recently installed a ball vendor in front of the public basketball courts on Sullivan street in Crescent Beach. the courts are often busy with pick up basketball games as well as ball hockey games.
The City of Surrey is the first in North America to offer free access to sports equipment lending stations through a partnership with Jumpstart Charities and Equip Sport. The City is launching 30 self-service lending stations for year-round community use, offering equipment such as table tennis sets, fitness gear, soccer balls and basketballs. Stations will be available at over 20 parks.
Surrey is the first city in North America to implement the Equip Sport self-service model, with Toronto expected to follow. Equip Sport is a Swiss-based company that operates over 400 lending stations across Europe, aiming to make sports accessible for everyone anytime, anywhere.
The program is funded by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, a national organization that helps remove financial and accessibility barriers so all kids can participate in sports, at no cost to the City or residents.
To participate, residents can download the free Equip Sport app from the Google Play or Apple App stores, find a station, tap to unlock it, grab the equipment, and start playing.
For more details, including the locations of the stations, go to surrey.ca/equip.
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
