Grandview Heights, Surrey Explained

Official Name:Grandview Heights
Settlement Type:Neighbourhood of Surrey
Pushpin Map:CAN BC Greater Vancouver
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Grandview Heights within Metro Vancouver
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Canada
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:British Columbia
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Lower Mainland
Subdivision Type3:Regional district
Subdivision Name3:Metro Vancouver
Subdivision Type4:City
Subdivision Name4:Surrey
Subdivision Type5:Town centre
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Doug McCallum
Leader Title1:MP (Fed.)
Leader Name1:Kerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative)
Leader Title2:MLA (Prov.)
Leader Name2:Elenore Sturko (United)
Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:−8
Timezone Dst:PDT
Utc Offset Dst:−7
Coordinates:49.0457°N -122.757°W
Postal Code Type:Postal code span

Grandview Heights is a neighbourhood in the South Surrey town centre of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

History

Grandview Heights was first settled in 1878 by David Brown, who homesteaded near the present day intersection of Highway 15 and 16 Avenue. Grandview Heights remained a sparsely populated logging community until the completion of the Pacific Highway (Highway 15) in 1923.[1]

The neighbourhood name originates from the former Grandview Heights Elementary School, located at Highway 15 and 20 Avenue. In 1922, Alex McBeth, who was shingling the roof for the school was able to see Semiahmoo Bay and Blaine, Washington from atop, he remarked "What a grand view".[2]

In Spring 2005, the city of Surrey began the process of rezoning much of the western portion of the neighbourhood from rural farms and large estates into commercial retail and medium-density housing.[3] Most of the commercial retail development began in the late 2000s (decade) and was completed in the early 2010s. The neighbourhood continues to expand east along 24 Avenue with residential homes.

On June 11, 2016, the city of Surrey opened the Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre at the intersection of 24 Avenue and 168 Street.[4] The city opened Grandview Heights Secondary School in September 2021,[5] which is adjacent to the aquatic centre.[6] The school is the fourth secondary school in South Surrey and the first high school to have been built in the South Surrey area since 1993 when Elgin Park was opened.

Transportation

Public transit service in Grandview Heights commenced on April 23, 2012[7] with the 531 bus route running along 24 Avenue with service to White Rock Centre and Willowbrook. The 354 bus route also serves the neighbourhood running along 160 Street with service to Bridgeport station, but only operates as an express service during peak hours on the weekdays.

Notes and References

  1. News: Grandview Heights Heritage Study. May 2005 . Donald Luxton & Associates . . January 2, 2018.
  2. News: Surrey Schools from 1901 to 1939. Surrey History . January 2, 2018.
  3. News: Grandview Heights General Land Use Plan. June 20, 2005 . . January 2, 2018.
  4. News: Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre Opens with a Splash. June 13, 2016 . . January 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180102191506/http://www.surrey.ca/city-government/20061.aspx . January 2, 2018.
  5. Web site: Chan . Kenneth . Surrey outlines $1.4-billion plan for new and expanded public schools . Daily Hive . September 23, 2020 . November 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925145337/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/surrey-schools-new-expansion-locations . September 25, 2020 . live.
  6. News: Surrey to get new schools, more space for students. May 20, 2016 . . January 2, 2018.
  7. News: Riding the 531 to Willowbrook . April 23, 2012 . The Buzzer . . January 2, 2018.