Future-focused: B.C. Lions unveil major facility upgrade

Building for the future: B.C. Lions’ Surrey facility gets major upgrade

Construction is booming at the B.C. Lions training facility in Surrey, a transformation that many insiders say has been long overdue.

Neil McEvoy, the club’s VP of football operations who recently celebrated his 30th anniversary with the team, has seen the Lions’ headquarters in many forms over the decades. From the mid-1990s, when everyone from ticket sales to Soccer B.C. staff shared the same building, to today, the football operations wing has been the sole occupant since the business department relocated to downtown Vancouver in 2023.

Fast forward to 2026, and professional football demands top-tier facilities. To meet that need, the Lions began a special project in early February, upgrading nearly every aspect of the facility. Plans include a more spacious locker room, a new weight room, and an improved player lounge complete with a fully functional kitchen. The groundwork for this transformation began more than a year ago, starting with the relocation of the main weight room to a newly constructed high-performance structure at the far end of the practice field.

“It starts with picking the architect, then you have to get the drawings done and approved, and that’s just the beginning,” McEvoy explained. “After just a few days, a lot of the downstairs had already changed. Things are moving in the right direction quickly.”

Since calling Surrey home in 1983, the Lions’ practice facility has seen its glory days, once unmatched across the CFL and even among some U.S. teams. But with the evolving demands of professional football, upgrades became essential. Owner Amar Doman prioritized the facility soon after taking control nearly five years ago.

“It’s going to be completely overhauled from what has been here in the past,” McEvoy said. “We’re not just getting a fresh coat of paint; walls are coming down, and it’s going to be modernized. This facility needed to be upgraded, and it’s a testament to Amar that he recognized that and invested in it.”

The renovations are scheduled to be complete by the team’s return from Kamloops and training camp, giving the roster a boost ahead of a season with sky-high expectations. McEvoy added, “The evolution of our football team, both on and off the field, required this upgrade. These changes are for the better, and we’re excited for a new era once renovations are complete.”

Over the past three decades, Canadian professional football has grown exponentially, moving from a “mom-and-pop” operation in the 1990s to the major business it is today. “Facilities are a big part of keeping the organization profitable,” McEvoy noted.

With reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Nathan Rourke leading the roster and a team poised to build on last year’s success, the excitement around the upgraded Surrey facility is tangible. Fans can follow the project’s progress on bclions.com, the club’s YouTube channel, and social media platforms.