June 9, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Surrey City Council is set to vote Monday evening on proposed amendments to its Sport Tourism Grant Program that would broaden eligibility to include sport tourism conferences — a move aimed at strengthening the city’s reputation as a leading sports destination.
The proposed changes would allow grant funding to cover not only sporting events but also the hosting of conferences that attract industry professionals and event organizers. City officials say the expansion would open new avenues to secure high-profile events and grow the local economy.
“These enhancements aren’t just about expanding funding; they reflect our commitment to cultivating local talent, attracting high-calibre sporting events, and boosting our economy,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “Council understands the significant economic boost sport tourism brings to Surrey, which is why we allocated an additional $500,000 to the program in April.”
If approved, the updated grant program would also raise the maximum funding available to $15,000 per event, providing greater support to event organizers.
Sport tourism has seen rapid growth in Surrey. In 2024 alone, the sector generated an economic impact of over $10.2 million — a 151 per cent increase from 2022. With continued investment in sports infrastructure, city officials believe the upward trend will continue, delivering long-term benefits to the community.
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