Gone are the days when Dresden Raceway was able to offer its regular visitors gaming offerings along with the premium live racing. Gateway Casinos Dresden officially closed for business after nearly two decades of gaming activity and many fans. Now it is time for the Dresden Agricultural Society to make an official decision on the future of the vacated building. September 26 is scheduled to see a meeting on the subject.
The month of July was a rather emotional one for many casino enthusiasts in the Chatham-Kent region, as it saw two major steps being completed. July 14 saw the official last day of operation at Gateway Casinos Dresden, located at Dresden Downs. The casino staff and slot machines were relocated to the entirely new casino complex in Chatham, offering a wide array of slot machines, table games, and more to its patrons.
Dresden Agricultural Society Awaits Meeting
Following the relocation, the building at Dresden Raceway has remained vacant. In order to make the best of it and utilize its full potential, the Dresden Agricultural Society would have to come up with a new idea. Next Thursday is about to see the beginning of discussion, evaluating all pros and cons of any new projects related to the building.
The society pointed out that the meeting is projected to commence at 7:30 p.m. and transform Dresden Raceway’s grandstand into the arena of a productive conversation. All ideas are welcome and would be considered. Members of the Dresden Agricultural Society are projected to have an active role in the dialogue, exploring all possibilities. For the time being, all proposals are being considered.
Alicia VanEsse, President of the society, made it clear that the vacant former gaming hotspot has not been linked to a particular idea for future transformation. It was built back in 2001, ahead of OLG Slots Dresden’s first day of operation. Slot machines served like magnets for individuals of legal age ready to try their luck along with the regular live horse races.
Sept. 26 Sees More Ideas
It could be recalled that October 2018 saw Dresden Agricultural Society turn down the opportunity of continues gaming operation on the premises of the racetrack. Ontario’s government offered Dresden Raceway the chance to see future investment, as well as undisrupted slot machines operation at Gateway Casinos Dresden, but this offer was turned down.
The society decided it would be best if the horse people receive more money instead. In its essence, this spelled the end of slot machines within the structure of the raceway and their consequent relocation to Cascades Casino Chatham. Now it is time for a new chapter for the former OLG Slots, later rebranded as Gateway Casinos Dresden.
Dresden Raceway is one of Ontario’s hotspots when it comes to live harness racing featuring as many as 11 live harness racing days within its schedule. May 26 saw the official launch of this year’s live racing at Dresden Raceway. With only 11 live dates within it, locals were eager to make the best of it and enjoy every weekend to the fullest. The special period had to eventually come to an end on August 5 when the last live race took place.
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