It has been a few years since talk of White Rock becoming part of Surrey circulated in our community. It would appear this time a petition has been started by individuals that have been incurred long waits for development approvals. As a city councillor here in White Rock I am well aware of the back and forth with our planning department and applicants over the past 5 years. I do not profess to speak on behalf of city council or the City of White Rock, the opinions posted today are my personal opinion. A conversation for another day.
What I find interesting is the ramifications of such a move. I think first for those who may not be aware of how and when White Rock separated from Surrey, let's turn back the hands of time and have VIN COYNE a former city councillor and newspaper publisher for a brief history lesson on how White Rock seceded from Surrey.
In an interview this week with THE PROVINCE and THE VANCOUVER SUN I mentioned there has been talk for years about not only pushing White Rock back into surrey, but also amalgamating a number of other civic governments. The two Langley's (district & city) and the two North Vancouver governments along with West Vancouver formed into one local governance.
Former BC Premier MIKE HARCOURT is currently heading up a collective that is urging the Provincial government to entertain the amalgamation of local civic governments. The driving reason behind such a move is the apparent duplication of services. Amalgamation they say will create a more streamlined cost effective of government.
My personal opinion is no matter where the chips fall I will always live in White Rock. I personally do not endorse White Rock just being folded back into the monolith to the north we call Surrey. If you have taken the time to watch the above video and the reason for White Rock wishing to separate back in 1957. A simple merge into Surrey would leave us in a similar position. South Surrey is one of the fastest growing communities in all of Canada. I would be more in favour of creating a new city that would encompass South Surrey and White Rock, from Cloverdale to Crescent Beach and all the land south of #10 Highway down to Canada's Longest Pier.
We will be playing the guessing and pontificating game for a number of years to come. Until that happens the battle cry may remain that was created by former White Rock city councillor/mayor and our MLA for over 2 decades with a quick pit stop in Ottawa as our MP.
Over to you GORDIE HOGG the man who coined the phrase......
"Saying you live in White Rock means you never have to say you’re Surrey"
David Chesney/Publisher
Local News
August 22, 2025
The Final Countdown
For Potential Candidates For Councillor
Nomination period ends today @ 4:00 p.m.
Voting takes place on September 27, 2025
The election results will be made public on October 01, 2025
Community-Based Cooling Locations and Misting Tents operating in Surrey-White Rock
Individuals experiencing homelessness face increased risks around heat related illnesses. Please encourage community members in need to access cooling locations and heat response supplies.
As a reminder, civic facilities are available to anyone seeking relief from extreme heat or wildfire smoke during the summer months.
City of Surrey: Visit Staying Cool During Extreme Heat for more information about heat response resources in Surrey (see attached poster).
Surrey and White Rock residents can also receive emergency notifications through the Alertable app.
This app is free and notifications can be received through text, email, phone, social media and more.
Please let our team know if there are other contacts in your networks who would benefit from receiving Community-Based heat response notifications or if you wish to be removed from this list. Additionally, if you know of any organizations or community partners able to operate cooling locations or enhanced outreach during heat events this summer, please contact our team at ewrcoordinator@hsa-bc.ca.
August 21, 2025
The Urge To Merge?
GLOBAL News arrived on our waterfront yesterday afternoon to gauge the interest in a petition that has started in White Rock that is calling for White Rock to merge with Surrey.
The petition apparently has been created by a group of local business owners and White Rock residents. The online petition which began last week has drawn a couple of hundred signatures.
August 20, 2025
The Wheels On The Bus Go Round & Round
Fall Service Change Starting Sept. 1, TransLink is increasing service on 53 routes across the region to address overcrowding, improve convenience for customers, and extend the hours of service on some routes.
Local routes that will be affected are the 321 and 345 routes from White rock to Whalley and Guildford.
The majority of the routes that will be seeing increased service are located South of the Fraser River. The new service begins September 01.
Yesterday Tuesday White Rock celebrated the official opening of the Generations Playground Splash Pad.
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.
Surrey Schools anticipates greater need for student supplies ahead of 2025-26 school year
The district is anticipating an increased need for student supplies this year as enrollment continues to grow at a rapid pace in Surrey and White Rock
With the new school year fast approaching, Surrey Schools is calling on donors, community partners and the public to help provide school supplies, backpacks and other essentials for students returning to the classroom.
This year, the district’s Advancement Office is anticipating a greater need for school supplies than previous years, increasing at the pace of student population growth, which continues to grow rapidly. Last September, district enrollment reached 83,259 students, up by more than 1,500 students in the 2023-24 school year.
In addition to backpacks, some of the most in-demand items – including ones most people may not think of – are:
binders with lined paper;
pencil cases with supplies (pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, highlighters, markers, pencil crayons and glue sticks); and
hygiene items (feminine hygiene items, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and body wash).
To support students, the district is partnering with a few organizations to run various drives for school supplies, food and monetary donations that will help families with the return to school in a few weeks.
On Saturday, Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Choices Market in South Surrey at Alder Crossing Mall (3248 King George Blvd.) is celebrating its 20th anniversary by hosting a community BBQ. As a strong supporter of local organizations that work toward building healthy, sustainable communities, Choices is partnering with Surrey Schools at their anniversary event to collect monetary donations to support Surrey Schools meal programs this coming academic year.
How You Can Help
The district’s Advancement Office happily accepts donations throughout the year and welcomes contributions from individuals, companies, corporations, businesses and foundations.
If any community partners would like to support other initiatives with Surrey Schools to help prepare for the next school year, the district is currently seeking funding in the following areas:
The message below was received from Surrey Parks with the stairs now remaining closed for an additional week in summer.
There is additional work required on the stairs, anticipated that they will be closed until Saturday August 23. As indicated on the sign, you can contact the City Parks line at 604-501-5050 for updates and the City Website contains updated information as well.
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.
August 14, 2025
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!
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.
The weather forecast calls for hot weather this weekend. Is this the end of summer as we know it?
Act accordingly.
Thought For The Day
Community Events
Head down to New Westminster’s waterfront tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 23) for the Summer Music and Fireworks Festival.
The family-friendly event, presented by the Hyack Festival Association, features a day full of activities, entertainment, and, of course, a huge fireworks display at the end of the evening.
When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 Time: 3 to 9:30 p.m. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Where: Westminster Quay, New Westminster Cost: Free
West Coast Garden's Summer Festival is back this year—even bigger and bolder than before! Aug 23 + 24
1420 172 Street, Surrey
Live local musician (Sun 11:30-4)
Craft beer, vodka coolers & mocktails
Chapter Estates Winery - wine samples & by the glass
Food trucks! (Sat & Sun 10-4)
Tacosaurus | Little oOtie’s Mini Donuts | The Quenchy Lemon | Egg Blanket
Local Artisan Market - shop unique handmade goods!
Free face painting for kids (Sat & Sun 12-4)
Free Dance Zone & Disco House for kids
Aug 23 + 24
