Happy Tuesday, Surrey!
We hope everyone was able to get outside over the weekend and enjoy our hotter than average sunny October days!
Here’s what’s inside today’s edition:
Outdoor Skating Rink to come to Surrey
Surrey's Bains makes Canucks' opening roster
Surrey celebrates Diwali at city hall
KPU Gets $1M Boost for High-Tech Farm Research
Pedestrian Seriously Hurt After Being Hit by Bus
15+ Local Events This Weekend (Markets, Comedy, & Family Fun!)
— Mark
City Updates
Outdoor skating rink coming to Surrey
The 2025 Tree Lighting Festival at Surrey Civic Plaza is planned Nov. 22-23, 2025. File photo
Surrey is bringing winter fun to the heart of the city! A temporary outdoor skating rink will open at Surrey Civic Plaza this fall for a 12-week trial run. The 4,000-square-foot rink will debut during the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival (Nov. 22–23, 2025) and feature food trucks, hot chocolate, and skate rentals.
The city says this pilot project will help test how popular the rink is and how it supports nearby businesses as part of Surrey’s plan to make City Centre more lively year-round.
Why it matters: The rink will give residents a new, family-friendly space to gather downtown, celebrate the season, and support local shops and events.
🔑 Key Details:
4,000 sq. ft. outdoor rink opening Nov. 22–23 at Surrey Civic Plaza.
Will run for 12 weeks with food trucks, hot chocolate, and skate rentals.
Part of City Centre’s plan to boost community activity and local business.
Surrey celebrates Diwali Sunday at city hall
Diwali, an annual festival of light, was celebrated at Surrey City Hall Sunday (Oct. 5).Tricia Leslie photo
The plaza outside Surrey City Hall lit up with color, music, and laughter on Sunday as people of all ages came together to celebrate Diwali — the Festival of Lights. The event featured local performers, craft tables, food trucks, and vendors sharing South Asian culture and traditions.
Diwali, celebrated around the world, honors the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. This year, the official festival day falls on October 20, but celebrations began early in Surrey with joy and togetherness at the heart of it all.
Why it matters: Diwali brings Surrey’s diverse communities together, celebrating the city’s rich South Asian heritage and spreading messages of unity, gratitude, and positivity.
🔑 Key Details:
Diwali celebrated Sunday at Surrey City Hall plaza.
The festival marks the victory of light over darkness.
Main celebration day is October 20 this year.
KPU Gets $1M Boost for High-Tech Farm Research
(L-R) Brett Favaro, KPU Dean of Science, Tony Brooks, Genome BC Interim President and CEO and Chief Financial Officer and VP, Entrepreneurship & Commercialization.Sally Greenwood, Genome BC VP, Communications and Societal Engagement, Bruce Choy, KPU President and Vice Chancellor, Randall Heidt, KPU VP, External Affairs & CEO KPU Fund, Wes Peterson, Genome BC VP, Corporate Development, Dr. Paul Adams, AGC DirectorKwantlen Polytechnic University
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Surrey just received $1 million from Genome BC to grow its Applied Genomics Centre, a research lab that helps improve B.C.’s farming and food systems. The funding will support new projects that use genetics and science to make crops and livestock stronger, more sustainable, and better suited for changing climates.
The Applied Genomics Centre works with more than 60 community, industry, and First Nations partners across B.C. Researchers are already studying things like heat-resistant cows and crops, and even developing new kinds of hops for beer brewing.
Why it matters: This investment helps local farmers and students by bringing cutting-edge science to Surrey, strengthening food security, and creating real-world learning opportunities for the next generation.
🔑 Key Details:
$1 million in funding from Genome BC for KPU’s Applied Genomics Centre.
Research supports over 60 B.C. partners, including farms and First Nations.
Projects include heat-resistant crops, livestock, and new hops varieties.
News
Pedestrian Seriously Hurt After Being Hit by Bus
A pedestrian was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a TransLink bus Saturday (Oct. 4), say police.Anna Burns/ Surrey Now-Leader
A person is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being hit by a TransLink bus early Saturday morning near Highway 10 and King George Boulevard. Police say the crash happened just after 5 a.m.
The bus was out of service, and the driver stayed at the scene and is helping police with their investigation. Officers say it’s still unclear what caused the crash.
Why it matters: This is one of several serious pedestrian crashes in Surrey this year, reminding residents to stay alert and careful near major intersections.
🔑 Key Details:
Pedestrian hit by out-of-service TransLink bus around 5 a.m. Oct. 4.
Victim taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Driver stayed on scene; police still investigating the cause.
Community Digest
Tough Start for Surrey Eagles as Team Searches for First Win
Surrey Eagles captain Gavin Rocha in action at South Surrey Arena on Sept. 28, 2025.Photo: facebook.com/SurreyEagles
It’s been a rough start for the Surrey Eagles, who remain winless after six games in the BC Hockey League season. The team lost 4–3 to the Coquitlam Express at home on Sunday (Oct. 5), after falling 6–4 to the Langley Rivermen the night before.
The Eagles, now at the bottom of the 20-team standings, are adjusting to a new roster and new head coach/GM Brian Passmore. Despite strong moments — including early leads and solid goaltending — the team hasn’t been able to hold on for a victory.
Why it matters: The Eagles are an important part of Surrey’s sports scene, and fans are hoping the young, rebuilt team can find its rhythm soon as they prepare to host Alberta’s Okotoks Oilers on Friday, Oct. 10.
🔑 Key Details:
Surrey Eagles winless in first six games of the BCHL season.
Lost 4–3 to Coquitlam and 6–4 to Langley over the weekend.
Next home game: Friday, Oct. 10 vs. Okotoks Oilers at South Surrey Arena.
Surrey's Bains makes Canucks' opening roster
Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains with his "First NHL goal" puck after a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh Penguins at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.Photo: x.com/canucks
Big news for Surrey hockey fans — Arshdeep Bains, who grew up right here in Surrey, has made the Vancouver Canucks’ opening-night roster! The 24-year-old forward will hit the ice this Thursday (Oct. 9) when the Canucks face the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.
Bains played 13 games with the Canucks last season, scoring one goal before helping the Abbotsford Canucks win the AHL’s Calder Cup in June. This preseason, he added three assists in five games and impressed coaches with his hard work and energy.
Bains is one of the few Surrey-born players to reach the NHL — a local success story showing young athletes that big dreams can start right here in our city.
🔑 Key Details:
Surrey’s Arshdeep Bains, 24, made the Canucks’ 2025–26 opening roster.
Played 13 NHL games last year; helped Abbotsford win the Calder Cup.
Canucks’ home opener: Oct. 9 vs. Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.
Share This Newsletter With Friends & Family
A lot of you have asked how to pass the Winnipeg Digest along to friends and family. We finally made it easy.
Just use the share button below to send the link to anyone who’d enjoy keeping up with what’s happening in our city.
Exciting Events: October 7th - 9th
Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Please search them up before going.
Community Fun🎆
Culture Days | Sept. 19 - Oct. 12 (FREE)
Location: Various Locations
Description: Enjoy a wide variety of arts and culture activities spread across Surrey at the annual Culture Days.
September Tree Sale | Sept. 24 - Oct. 8 (ALL TREES $20)
Location: Surrey Operations Centre
Description: Purchase up to 3 trees to plant in your yard.
The Maze of Monsters at Guildford Town Centre | Oct 1-Oct 31 (FREE)
Location: Guildford Town Centre
Description: walk-thru experience featuring NEW spooky creatures and more haunted surprises. Caution! While family-friendly, the experience can be frightening for little boos and ghouls under the age of 5.
Cougar Creek House of Horrors | Oct 3-Nov 8 ($)
Location: 12530 72nd Ave
Description: B.C.’s premier adult horror experience, delivering five terrifying, immersive haunted houses in a single, nonstop nightmare. Navigate through five intricately themed indoor mazes... From the backwoods carnage of Abomination to the deranged clowns of Zycho Zerkus, in a single, nonstop nightmare.
Positive Parenting Workshop Series | 6:30PM-8PM Oct 9 (FREE)
Location: Clayton Community Centre
Description: the City of Surrey, in partnership with the Alex Neighbourhood House, for free positive parenting workshops!
Markets/Fairs🎡🎢🎠
Arts Nursery Scarecrow Festival & Pop Up Pumpkin Patch | Sept 20-Oct 31 ($)
Location: Art’s Nursery
Description: Family-friendly festival features over 60 imaginative scarecrow displays, from spooky classics to beloved characters like Cruella, the Peanuts Gang, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Alice in Wonderland. Explore festive photo opportunities, a pop-up pumpkin patch, scavenger hunts, live music, and rotating food trucks every weekend.
Comedy❗
Comedy Competition Comedy Shows | 7:30PM, Oct 9 ($)
Location: Yuk Yuks Comedy Club
Description: YUK OFF Comedy Competition every* Thursday - Preliminary rounds will happen on October 9, October 16, October 23, October 30, November 6 & November 13.
Thanks for reading The Surrey Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!
