Surrey offers free sports equipment access; first in North America

Editor’s note: a previous version of this story stated users were required to enter a credit card number in order to use the app. This is not the case, and users are able to access the app without entering credit card information.

The City of Surrey announced that it will offer free access to sports equipment, such as basketballs, soccer balls, table tennis sets, and fitness gear.

The equipment will be available at 30 self-service lending stations across more than 20 parks, including Cloverdale Athletic Park, Tamanawis Park, Bear Creek Park, and South Surrey Athletic Park.

Surrey is the first city in North America to implement the free self-service model for sports equipment.

“As the first city in North America to offer this innovative, inclusive program, Surrey is proud to lead the way in accessible recreation,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke.

Toronto is expected to follow Surrey’s lead in adopting the model.

“This free initiative provides sports equipment to all residents, helping to remove those barriers and strengthen community participation and connection,” Locke explained.

Users do not need a credit card to create an Equip account, spokesperson Laura Baziuk says.

“If you don’t return an item on time, then the app will send you a reminder,” Baziuk said.

“If the app has to send you multiple reminders, then your account could be temporarily suspended.”

B.C.’s second-largest municipality says it partnered with Swiss company Equip Sport to set up the self-service lending stations.

Equip Sport already operates over 400 lending stations across Europe.

Additionally, the initiative receives funds from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, a national organization that helps remove financial and accessibility barriers in sports.