Happy Tuesday, Surrey!

We’re back with another community pet spotlight in today’s edition — and this time, you’ll get to meet Calli, a local favourite with a big personality.

Alongside Calli’s spotlight, we’ve rounded up the latest city updates and a few things happening around Surrey that are worth having on your radar. It’s a good mix of community, news, and what’s coming up next.

Grab a coffee, take a quick break, and let’s catch up on what’s happening around the city this week.

Now, In today’s edition:

- Mark

Surrey police have arrested three men after a shots-fired incident early Sunday morning in South Surrey. Officers were patrolling the Crescent Beach area around 3:50 a.m. Feb. 1, when they received reports of gunfire and a small fire outside a home near Crescent Road and 132 Street.

Police quickly located a nearby suspect vehicle, but the people inside ran away on foot. A short time later, officers arrested three suspects after they tried to leave the area in a rideshare vehicle. Fire crews also responded and put out a small fire near a fence at the property.

The home was occupied at the time, but no one was hurt. Police confirmed damage from gunfire, but no fire damage to the house. The investigation is now being handled by the Major Crime Section, and police believe the incident may be linked to extortion.

Police continue to respond to violent incidents and ask the public to help by sharing any video or information that could assist the investigation.

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After years of tough business and travel slowdowns, the Peace Arch Duty Free Shop is getting a major upgrade. The store’s operator says the business was close to closing just months ago, but hopes rising travel and future events will bring customers back.

A $6.5 million renovation is now underway. The project will refresh the store inside and out, with new floors, upgraded displays, gardens, art, and even a small playground. Most of the work will happen while the store stays open, though there will be a short closure later on.

The goal is to finish everything before the 2026 FIFA World Cup games arrive in Vancouver. The shop plans to add more high-end items like watches, electronics, perfumes, and cosmetics—often cheaper than buying them in the U.S. due to tariffs.

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Surrey City Council has voted to place warning notices on the property titles of two homes—one in Newton and one in Cloverdale—because of illegal construction. These notices alert future buyers, lenders, and insurers that unapproved building work was done and could come with safety or financial risks.

The Newton property includes multiple unpermitted additions, including extra living spaces and self-contained units built without city approval. City staff say work continued even after a stop-work order was issued, and attempts to get permits after the fact were denied. Because the work does not meet city standards, there is currently no clear path to make it legal.

The Cloverdale case involves a large accessory building built without permits. While fines have been paid and the owners have applied for a demolition permit, the city says the notice will stay on the title until the building is fully removed and the property meets bylaws.

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The Cloverdale Bed Races are getting a new date in 2026. The popular event will now take place on Wednesday, May 13, instead of its usual Thursday night slot. The change was made to avoid overlapping with new rodeo and fair events happening later that week.

This shift comes as the Cloverdale Rodeo expands to include a Thursday night kickoff concert for the first time in 18 years. With thousands of people expected at the fairgrounds on Thursday, organizers decided it made sense to move the bed races up one day.

Organizers say the event itself won’t change much. Teams will still race beds through Cloverdale, and the fun, community vibe will stay the same. One new twist this year: all entry fees will be donated to Storehouse, a local charity.

This means a slightly earlier start to Rodeo Week fun—and another chance to support local causes while enjoying one of Cloverdale’s most loved traditions.

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Surrey is taking its next step toward building a large new arena in City Centre. The city has issued a call for developers and operators to submit ideas for a 10,000-seat arena, along with possible professional or amateur sports teams to use it as a home venue.

The proposed arena would be built on city-owned land next to the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre at Tom Binnie Park. Plans show a building between 200,000 and 250,000 square feet, along with extra space for shops, offices, and a hotel. The city says the arena would be a major part of a new entertainment district in Surrey.

Developers have until February 13 to submit their ideas. After that, the city will review proposals, narrow the list, and aims to award a contract later this year. If approved, the project would be designed, built, and run by a private group working with the city.

Not everyone agrees on the plan. Some local leaders have raised concerns about the cost, which could be hundreds of millions of dollars, and have called for more public input. For Surrey residents, the project could bring new sports, concerts, and jobs—but also raises questions about long-term costs and priorities.

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Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Please search them up before going.

Calli - better known as Nightowl - is a sweet, gentle soul by day and a full-on zoomies expert by night. This Okanagan kitty now calls Clayton Heights home, where her days are reserved for naps and her nights for playful adventures.

A natural hunter and dedicated bird-watcher, Calli also loves soaking up the summer sun in the yard. Proof that the best nightlife in Surrey sometimes comes with whiskers and paws.

Want your furry friend featured next? Send a photo and short description to [email protected] for a future spotlight!

Thanks for reading The Surrey Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!