When Rob Warwick surveys the Surrey landscape, he doesn't get all that excited about indoor concert-staging possibilities.

There is no large arena to speak of, and the city's so-called "soft-seater" theatres, such as Bell Performing Arts Centre and Chandos Pattison Auditorium, are either too busy with events or too small to allow Warwick to bring in the more popular artists he sometimes wants to book for performance here.

So, when Warwick heard recent news of a new 1,600-seat theatre to be built in Surrey's downtown core, he listened with interest.

"It's always nice to have another theatre to do shows in," said Warwick, who runs Rock.

It Boy Entertainment, his White Rock-based concert promotion business.

"With a 1,600-seat venue, you can put some pretty cool shows in a place like that, some potentially bigger acts that might not otherwise play (Surrey)," he added.

"Hopefully the rent will be in line with other (theatres) of that capacity."

On Jan. 25, city officials announced a move forward with plans to build a new performing arts centre in downtown Surrey, in a bid to "help transform the area into an energetic hub of entertainment and cultural activity."

It is anticipated the facility would include a "flexible" main-stage theatre with at least 1,600 seats, a 250-seat studio theatre and other arts-related amenities. No price tag was noted in the city-issued announcement, only that the city is hoping senior levels of government and the private sector will partner in the project.

The addition of a new theatre in Surrey's city centre is very exciting news for Maxine Howchin, vice-president of Arts Council of Surrey.

"It's going to mean a lot for local arts groups, because we do need venues for our groups to perform in," Howchin told the Now. "We have so many member groups looking for space, which you have to pretty much book a year in advance, for a lot of spaces. It'll add to performance space and rehearsal space, which is in need. It's going to be a great benefit for a lot of groups."

The performing arts space at the cityoperated Surrey Arts Centre is often booked well in advance, Howchin noted. The facility, at Bear Creek Park, includes a 400-seat main stage and 160-capacity studio theatre.

The new theatre in Surrey's downtown core would be the city's largest, eclipsing Bell Performing Arts Centre and Chandos Pattison Auditorium by some 500 seats.

"We really need venues of all sizes and for different users, and the size (of the new theatre) is appropriate," Howchin added.

"I mean, look at the Chandos Pattison (located in the Fraser Heights area), which is usually booked by the schools, and also the Bell (at Sullivan Heights Secondary school). Those venues are hard to get into for certain groups because there are standing (events) that happen there."

Warwick said building the new theatre in North Surrey is a smart move.

"That's a more centralized location, which is certainly great from my standpoint," he said. "The Bell is a great facility but it's definitely off the beaten path, not close to SkyTrain or anything. The Bell is pretty much locked in, a destination point.

"With Surrey Arts Centre," Warwick added, "it's usually difficult to make money in a situation like that, with that few seats. I mean, you can do it, because I use the Coast Capital Playhouse (a 219-seat theatre in White Rock), and I can make it work in there, but there's not much you can do with a 400-seat venue, in terms of performances."

THEATRE PART OF BUILD SURREY PROGRAM

The planned performing arts centre in City Centre is part of the Build Surrey program.

The program of capital projects aims to transform the downtown core to create B.C.'s next metropolitan centre, as well as develop vibrant town centres.

The projects are scheduled to be designed and constructed by 2016 as the city hopes to prepare for the next decade of growth.

Other Build Surrey projects have included the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre and City Centre Library. A new city hall and community plaza are also part of the program.

On Jan. 25, Surrey announced that Bing Thom Architects is the architectural consultant for the performing arts centre.

Bing Thom has designed and won awards for other projects in City Centre, including integrating Central City Shopping Centre with SFU Surrey, creating Central City Tower as well as designing the new City Centre Library, which opened in 2011.

Bing Thom Architects is now in the first step of the process with the performing arts facility, which is essentially a study looking at things such as site possibilities, transportation amenities, budget preparations and project timelines. The results of the study will go before council and will include a full picture of the scope, location and cost for the project.

Bing Thom Architects will liaise with the community, city staff, the steering committee and key stakeholders to deliver the project study, which is expected to be completed by July 2012.

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