1. Origins in the 1990s

The Rotary Fieldhouse was established in the late 1990s at the South Surrey Athletic Park, at 14600 Rotary Way. At that time, local Rotary Clubs—including the Rotary Club of White Rock, the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo, and the Rotary Club of South Surrey—recognized that community groups needed both a gathering place and a functional storage and operations facility. With strong support from volunteers and local fundraising efforts, Rotary partnered with the City of Surrey to bring the project to life.

2. Community Vision

The idea was not simply to build a structure but to create a community hub. From the beginning, the Rotary Fieldhouse was designed as a place that would serve multiple service clubs, sports groups, and nonprofits. Rotary envisioned a facility that would reflect the service spirit of the area, where volunteerism could thrive and organizations could coordinate their work. This vision matched Rotary’s mission to build lasting value in local communities.

3. Fundraising and Construction

The Fieldhouse was constructed largely thanks to funds raised by the Rotary Clubs themselves. Members organized community events, campaigns, and direct contributions to finance its development. Rotary volunteers also contributed their own time and expertise, ensuring that the building was not only functional but symbolic of the community’s collective effort. The agreement with the City included terms that gave Rotary significant use of the facility, especially for storage and operations.

4. Rotary Book Sales and Operations Base

Over the next 25 years, the Fieldhouse became synonymous with the Rotary Clubs’ semi-annual book sales. These sales involved tens of thousands of donated books and hundreds of volunteers, and they quickly grew into a major fundraising activity. Held twice a year, the sales generated more than $100,000 annually in support of youth programs, scholarships, and local charities. The Fieldhouse served as the essential sorting, staging, and storage space that made these events possible.

5. Shared Use with Sports Groups

While Rotary maintained a central role, other community and sports groups—such as rugby and soccer associations—also benefited from the Fieldhouse and related facilities in the South Surrey Athletic Park. As demand for space grew, some groups built additional structures with their own funds, while others sought increased access to existing storage. Rotary consistently expressed a willingness to share space and even offered to fundraise jointly for additional facilities, reflecting their commitment to cooperation.

6. Legacy and Current Challenges

Today, the Rotary Fieldhouse stands as a 25-year symbol of community partnership between service clubs, volunteers, and the City of Surrey. It has generated more than $1.5 million for local charities since its opening, without paid staff, purely through volunteer efforts. However, recent developments have created uncertainty about Rotary’s continued access to the warehouse portion of the building, prompting a renewed call for dialogue with the City. The Fieldhouse’s history is a reminder of what can be achieved when service organizations and municipalities work hand-in-hand to strengthen their community.