Former Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has strongly criticized current Mayor Brenda Locke for the City of Surrey’s decision to terminate the lease with Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE), effectively shutting down Fraser Downs racetrack after 49 years. McCallum condemned the move as a “devastating blow” to Surrey’s economy, heritage, and the livelihoods of over 200 workers involved in the horse racing industry, accusing Locke of prioritizing ego-driven redevelopment plans over preserving an important local industry and community roots.

Mayor Locke defended the lease recapture as a necessary step to begin revitalizing the Cloverdale Fairgrounds and Town Centre, aiming to create new housing, public spaces, and infrastructure to support nearby facilities like the Cloverdale hospital and cancer centre. She emphasized that the decision was made within contractual rights and after carefully weighing the closure’s impact against the broader benefits of redevelopment. While the racetrack and barns will be closed, the Elements Casino and associated venues will continue operating unaffected.