Surrey, B.C. – On Saturday, August 16, at Hawthorne Park in Surrey City Centre, MLA Amna Shah welcomed more than 300 residents, families, community leaders, and neighbours to her annual community BBQ for an afternoon filled with food, family fun, and community connection.
With burgers and hot dogs on the grill, music playing, and activities for children, Hawthorne Park was bustling with families and residents enjoying the afternoon. Face painting, balloon artists, and henna kept children entertained, while the annual BBQ gave community members an opportunity to relax, enjoy the summer weather, and connect with friends, family, and their local MLA.
There was also much to celebrate in Surrey City Centre. Over the past year, the community has continued to benefit from significant investments and new opportunities that are helping shape Surrey’s future. Among the milestones celebrated was the opening of the new SFU Medical School in Surrey City Centre, bringing medical education and training directly into MLA Shah’s riding and creating new opportunities for students, health-care professionals, and the broader community.
The new medical school is part of Surrey’s growing healthcare and education sector and represents an important step forward in establishing Surrey as a major centre for health education, innovation, and care in British Columbia.
Residents also had reason to celebrate improvements to health-care services at Surrey Memorial Hospital, including the opening of the new renal facility. The expanded renal services represent an important investment for Surrey residents and families who rely on specialized kidney care, helping bring more services closer to home while strengthening the community’s health-care infrastructure.
While the BBQ was an opportunity to celebrate these accomplishments, it was equally an opportunity to listen. Throughout the afternoon, MLA Shah and local community leaders spoke with residents about the issues that matter most to them. Conversations ranged from health care and education to housing, transportation, community services, and Surrey’s continued growth.
The informal setting allowed residents to connect with their elected representative and community leaders in a relaxed environment while sharing their experiences, ideas, and priorities for the future of Surrey City Centre.
For families, the afternoon was about more than politics. Children lined up for colourful face painting, played with balloon creations, and enjoyed henna artistry, while parents and grandparents gathered around picnic tables to enjoy a meal and catch up with neighbours.
The event highlighted the strong sense of community that exists throughout Surrey City Centre, a diverse and growing riding where people from different backgrounds come together to celebrate, connect, and build a better future for their families.
For MLA Amna Shah, the annual community BBQ has become an opportunity to celebrate the people of Surrey City Centre while maintaining an open and ongoing connection with the community she represents.
With more than 300 people in attendance, this year’s BBQ was a testament to the community’s enthusiasm, diversity, and engagement.
As Surrey City Centre continues to grow, events like the annual community BBQ serve as an important reminder that behind the new schools, health-care facilities, and major investments are the people who call this community home.
There was plenty to celebrate at Hawthorne Park and even more to look forward to as Surrey City Centre continues to grow and thrive.
