SURREY - The City of Surrey is moving ahead with plans to build a performing arts centre in City Centre.

It is anticipated the centre will include a flexible main stage theatre with at least 1,600 seats, a studio theatre with approximately 250 seats as well as other arts amenities.

Bing Thom Architects has been selected as the architectural consultant for the project, and has begun the programming, site selection and conceptual siting.

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.

"The City of Surrey has a half million residents and we need a major performing arts facility if we're going to create a dynamic downtown core and foster our creative economy," said Mayor Dianne Watts in a press release.

"Arts and culture are the heart and soul of a city and play an essential role in education and learning."

Watts said she believes this facility will become another iconic landmark in City Centre and will create a more cohesive city.

She added that the city is hoping senior levels of government and the private sector will partner in the project.

Programming work on the facility has started, which includes site selection, siting of the new facility, budget preparation and determining project timelines.

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

areid@thenownewspaper.com