Phase 1 of the proposed seven-acre surf park and residential complex is set for completion in 2029.
Surf’s up! Canada’s one step closer to getting its first surf park, and it’s in Britannia Beach.
The development permit application for South Britannia was submitted by Tigerbay Development Corp. on July 24, meaning steps towards construction can now officially begin.
South Britannia, which will be located by Minaty Bay, will include a residential neighbourhood of 900 market and 150 non-market homes, with tourist accommodation, and neighbourhood retail and public amenities, according to the project’s website.
Tigerbay’s head of development Tony Petricevic posted to his LinkedIn page on July 24 to announce the “major milestone,” commencing Phase 1 of the project.
“The permit included a seven-acre Wavegarden surf park with a dissipative shoreline, alongside a 2,800-square-metre hub building that will be home to the surf academy, café, bar, restaurant, retail, and a 700-square-metre outdoor deck,” the post reads.
“Next steps are breaking ground later this summer with construction to commence in the new year.”
Phase 1 of the South Britannia development includes the construction of the surf park, and a hub named The Beach House which includes a restaurant, bar, and cafe, alongside retail, conference facilities, and a surf academy. Cabins, saunas, and hot tubs will be built around the surf park, and a mountain bike trail network will also be established.
The masterplan for South Britannia was formally approved last May by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional district (SLRD) after four readings. Originally designed to be only a residential complex, the concept of a six-acre surf park was added in 2019, and created momentum for the project.
Petricevic told The Squamish Chief that Tigerbay has been working on the “detailed design” of The Beach House since the SLRD’s approval, before which there were around eight years of rezoning and planning.
“We’ve partnered with our contractor as well to build it, so it’s all very real now,” he said.
Petricevic explained that the construction of earthworks will begin this summer to help prepare for site construction next summer, which if all goes to plan, means the park will open mid-2029.
But why build a surf park next to the ocean?
“Convenience. Also, there’s an audience of very sports-focused people driving on the Sea to Sky Highway … It makes sense,” Petricevic said.
“What we’re hoping to achieve is a sports facility focused on surfing, and then to capture the sports community and the surf culture, and then bring it to this area … (The wave park) gives the project an X factor.”
Rest assured, Petricevic continued, there will be “a large aquifer” underneath the property to supply the water, so folks need not be concerned about any interference with that of Átl’ḵa7tsem (Howe Sound.)
The surf park itself, which will be powered and developed by Wavegarden, will be one of around 13 in the world. Other Wavegarden surf park locations include the U.K. and Australia.
All ages and abilities, from child beginners to professional athletes are welcome, Petricevic confirmed.
The rates to surf the lagoon range from $80-$120 an hour, depending on the difficulty and time of year.
“The idea is to open (the surf park) for the majority of the year, if the demand is there,” Petricevic said.
“The winter months are going to be the time to generate more of a surf community. That’s when everybody goes surfing in Tofino because that’s when the swells are the largest. So just as long as you’re comfortable with some colder temperature waters, then it’ll be cheaper to surf.”
Shoreside surf cabins, wellness facilities, and workforce accommodation will follow in a supplementary development permit which will complete Phase 1 of South Britannia, according to Petricevic’s LinkedIn post.
Phase 2 of South Britannia is set to begin from 2030, and will focus on establishing the residential community. Phase 3—to complete the village and surrounding amenities, including recreational green space—is proposed from 2035.
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter.
This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
By Ina Pace, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Aug 04, 2026 at 13:15
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