Simon Fraser University’s new Surrey campus was officially opened September 8 at a ceremony attended by SFU President Michael Stevenson, Premier Gordon Campbell, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and other community leaders, students and local residents.

The opening ceremony took place in the grand hall of the new campus, which is part of the acclaimed Central City complex in north Surrey, designed by architect and SFU honourary degree recipient Bing Thom.

“SFU’s magnificent new campus in Surrey reaffirms the university’s commitments to excellence, innovation and engagement in the community,” Stevenson said.

Besides the official opening ceremony, the university celebrated the new campus with a public open house on September 9.

SFU offers both degree programs and continuing studies courses at the 30,000-square metre Surrey campus.

Currently, 1,500 full-time equivalent undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at SFU Surrey, a number that is expected to grow to 2,500 full-time equivalent students by 2010.

Stevenson thanked Premier Campbell and Mayor Watts for their governments’ efforts towards the creation of the new campus, noting that without their assistance, the new campus would not have become a reality.

He also paid tribute to Westminster Savings Credit Union, Yosef Wosk, the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, Mitchell Odyssey Foundation, and the Now Newspaper for their support of the Surrey campus.