Sometimes a hero wears a cape. Sometimes they drive a vacuum truck.
After some very heavy September rain in Surrey, the beautiful Spirit Garden in South Surrey found itself with a rather serious problem. The Iris Pond had become waist-deep in silt and sediment.
When a pond needs pumping, you know who to call.
McRae’s.
Working alongside the City of Surrey Water and Irrigation team, the McRae’s crew arrived with the equipment, experience, and plenty of vacuum power needed to get the Iris Pond back in shape.
And yes, we’re calling him “Vacuum Man.” Every good rescue story needs a superhero.
When the Rain Comes Down, the Silt Comes Up
Heavy rain can be tough on stormwater ponds and drainage systems. In this case, the Iris Pond had collected a substantial amount of silt, making it necessary to remove the material before it created bigger problems for the garden and surrounding area.
McRae’s brought in a combo truck capable of handling the job efficiently, working carefully alongside the City of Surrey’s Water and Irrigation team.
It wasn’t exactly a glamorous day at the office—but somebody had to do it.
And when you’re working around a beautiful community garden, getting the job done without turning the place into a construction zone is especially important.
A Very Special Place in South Surrey
The Spirit Garden is much more than a pretty patch of green.
Located on a half-acre city lot in South Surrey, British Columbia, the garden was created by neighbours Joan and Jon Mara, who saw the potential in what was once an overgrown and ordinary piece of land where stormwater collected.
Beginning in 2009, with the City’s blessing, they transformed the property into a beautiful garden filled with flowers, pathways, trees, and spaces for reflection.
Over time, the garden took on an even deeper meaning.
Joan Mara envisioned it as a place where people could plant something in memory of loved ones who had passed away—a place for reflection, healing, connection, and remembering.
And so, the Spirit Garden was born.
Today, visitors come throughout the year. Some are neighbours enjoying a walk. Others visit for family photographs, graduation pictures, wedding photos, or simply a quiet moment surrounded by nature.
McRae’s to the Rescue
That’s why being part of the pond cleanup was particularly meaningful for our team.
We’re accustomed to working on industrial sites, construction projects, commercial properties, septic systems, catch basins, utilities, and infrastructure throughout Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, the Fraser Valley, and Metro Vancouver.
But every now and then, a job comes along where you get to help protect something that means a little more to the community.
The Spirit Garden is one of those places.
So, when the Iris Pond needed some serious vacuum power, McRae’s was happy to answer the call.
Watch Vacuum Man in Action
The pond-cleaning action was captured on video! Watch for Facebook video embedded below to see the McRae’s team and combo truck in action.
There may not be a cape involved, but there is a very impressive vacuum hose.
And frankly, around here, that’s close enough.
Proud to Support Our Surrey Community
At McRae’s, we’ve been serving the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland since 1951. Our work isn’t always pretty, and sometimes it involves a considerable amount of mud, silt, sludge, and debris.
But it’s important work.
Whether we’re providing services for municipality maintain stormwater infrastructure, cleaning a catch basin, providing vacuum excavation, or helping restore a community space like the Spirit Garden, we’re proud to put our people and equipment to work when they’re needed.
A big thank you to the City of Surrey Water and Irrigation team for working with us—and to the people who created and continue to care for the Spirit Garden.
And to our own McRae’s crew:
Nice work, Vacuum Men, Mike & Adrian. The Spirit Garden is looking better already.
