SFU Surrey adds gown to town

In a single day, a neglected community in the heart of Surrey is going to become a university town.

More than 2,000 students, faculty and staff are starting school next week at Simon Fraser University's brand-new campus in Whalley and local businesses hope it will be the catalyst for much-needed revitalization in their community.

"Adding about 2,500 people is going to have almost an overnight effect, and it's going to be great," said Pete Nichols, owner of Whalley Printers and Stationers.

"I think it's going to be dramatic."

Nichols, who has operated his business in Whalley for nearly 40 years, said coffee shops, restaurants and stores will instantly have hundreds of potential new customers who may have different interests than their former clientele.

"All I can say is 'Wow,'" Nichols said. "The people who make decisions in our city are going to have to pay attention. I don't think the city is fully ready for this."

Designed by Vancouver architect Bing Thom, SFU Surrey is a distinctive modern campus set on top of Central City shopping mall and next to an office tower beside Whalley's central SkyTrain station.