Image Credit: Gateway Casinos
August 11, 2014 - 3:36 PM
KAMLOOPS - If you have questions or concerns about the proposed relocation of the downtown casino to Aberdeen, next week is your chance to make yourself heard.
Council decided late last month the public and the company behind the proposed casino relocation should get a chance to speak before any decisions are made as to whether a casino should be allowed in the former Rona building on Versatile Drive, even though city staff recommended they turn down the application.
Gateway Casinos is looking at moving the current Lake City Casino, adjacent to Hotel 540 on Victoria St, to the former Rona location in Aberdeen. The move offers more than three times the space indoors on about 6.5 acres of property. The move would allow a new Cascades Casino to include several restaurants or cafes, an outdoor amphitheatre and an all season patio in addition to the gaming floor.
The company held public open houses in May and concerns over traffic and noise topped the community concerns, though support was shown for the project as well. When staff looked at the proposal they too were concerned over traffic as well as having a prime entertainment facility moved out of the downtown core.
All members of council decided they would rather hear from the public before making a decision on the rezoning and changes to official community plan that would be necessary for the move. Following that decision Gateway Casinos held another open house last week to address traffic concerns.
In anticipation of a larger crowd, the public hearing will be held Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre at 1250 Rogers Way in Aberdeen at 7 p.m.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014