Ottawa will invest up to $11 million in upgrades to a pair of recreation facilities in Surrey, B.C.

The investments will be made through the $51-billion Build Communities Strong Fund, Sukh Dhaliwal, MP for Surrey-Newton said.

Improvements at Newton Athletic Park will include an artificial-turf field, track lighting and lighted tennis courts. The 54-acre park currently contains 11 full-sized soccer fields, five of which have artificial turf, and is one of Surrey’s primary tournament venues.

Unwin Park will receive a fieldhouse, covered multi-sport court, youth area, cycling track, additional sports courts, pathways and expanded parking.

The City of Surrey is also providing $16.5 million and has already awarded MBG Buildings Inc. a $3.64-million design-build contract for Unwin’s covered facility. The 185-by-80-foot structure is expected to be completed by year-end.

The city’s capital plan identifies $18.7 million for the broader Unwin Park Master Plan and first phase of development. Surrey has acquired the final property needed to expand the park, while the long-term plan is scheduled to be completed this year.

The investment comes as Surrey and TransLink advance a 2.2-million-square-foot redevelopment of Newton Town Centre. The 40-acre plan calls for more than 2,200 homes, 150,000 square feet of retail space and 15.7 acres of parks and open space.

Pictured: Newton Athletic Park

Photo: City of Surrey