Building Which Is To Be Converted To A Studio By Skydance Media Was Purchased By A Group Of Indo-Canadian Businessmen!

California based Skydance Media, the producers of the Mission Impossible and Star Trek big budget franchises, will be converting the former printing press building to a five sound stage studio that can accommodate a production staff of up to 400 people.

By PD Raj

SURREY  – In her annual State of the City Address to the business community, Mayor Linda Hepner highlighted the growing prominence of Surrey as a centre for smart technology, innovation and economic growth, including Surrey getting a film studio in the old Pacific Newspaper Group (PNG)  building near Nordel exchange that use to print the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers.

A group of Indo-Canadian businessmen bought the building from PNG a while ago but it is not known whether they have sold the building to be converted to studio or are involved in a long-term lucrative lease deal with the big Hollywood studio.

California based Skydance Media, the producers of the Mission Impossible and Star Trek big budget franchises, will be converting the former printing press building to a five sound stage studio that can accommodate a production staff of up to 400 people.

The new studio will initially be used for production of a Netflix science-fiction series, but Hepner said the move is a major development for the production sector in B.C.’s second-largest city, reported Globe and Mail newspaper.

“A studio is a big deal for us,” Hepner told reporters after her speech to hundreds of business people and community leaders – her second since being elected mayor. “There’s lots of economic spinoff opportunities and it also speaks to the creative city and a reputation I want to get out there that we’re building on the arts and culture in the city as well as technology and innovation within the jobs arena.”

Peter Leitch, president of North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios and chair of the Motion Picture Production Association of B.C., told Globe and Mail on Thursday that the Skydance commitment is a major development for Surrey and the B.C. production sector.

“It’s going to be a significant studio. They’re going to have to spend money on improvements, which they will do. It will be something that will put a stake in the ground for Surrey and attract additional infrastructure,” he said. “It’s good for the industry in terms of spreading the infrastructure around.”

Leitch also noted that Surrey is home to many workers in the production sector, raising the prospect of new job opportunities in their area of the Lower Mainland.

Hepner said as the premier metropolitan centre South of the Fraser, the City of Surrey is well positioned to take full advantage of the capital investment and strategic partnerships in a number of economic sectors.

“Surrey is a city full of possibilities and is primed to be a centre for technology and innovation for the region,” said Hepner. “Our potential for job and economic growth is tremendous. The bottom line Surrey is being recognized both at home and abroad as a city that builds global connections.”

Hepner announced a number of new projects and initiatives that range from public safety education to cutting edge clean-tech technology research to film and TV production.

*The creation of the KPU- Foresight Cleantech Global Innovation Zone. Housed on the KPU Tech site in Cloverdale and in partnership with the City, SFU and Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre, a centre of excellence for clean technology research and full on advanced manufacturing will be built on a campus-like environment.

*The creation of a Children’s Safety Village. The child-sized village will be a place for children to learn about safety in a hands-on interactive way to make sure the lessons stick with them.

*Site selection has commenced for new helipads in North and South Surrey. Discussions underway with a consortium of private helicopter companies to bring commercial helicopter service to Surrey.

The City of Surrey is committed to making significant capital investment to ensure that the community and social amenities are there for all our residents and visitors alike. $334,000,000 in capital projects were made on a variety of projects which include:

·        Two new aquatic centres in Guildford and Grandview

·        Expansion of the Surrey Museum

·        Design and construction of the Clayton multi-purpose facility

·        New Cloverdale Ice Arena slated to be opened in 2018

·        Development of a second YMCA in Surrey

·        Flood control improvements in lowland areas

“With a city growing as fast as ours, our work is never done,” said Hepner. “But what we are doing today is laying down a firm and stable foundation that will shape the social, economic, and environmental requirements of Surrey for years to come.”

The full State of the City Address presentation will be available at www.surrey.ca.