Kenora locals have successfully reached their goal regarding no casino venue on the former Abitibi Mill’s property. The most recent City Council meeting reviewed a petition with upwards of 700 signatures opposing casino complex construction on this particular site. Local officials approved a resolution that would now see the lands on Ninth Street and Veterans Drive allow commercial, light industrial and residential development only.
Casino operation inevitably has its impact on a given town, as it brings with itself the positive and negative aspects of gambling. It could support the city coffers with regular allocations powered by its gambling revenue, but it could also increase problem gambling rates within the community. This is especially true when it comes to casinos located in the central part of the city or nearby residential areas.
November 19 Saw Meeting
Kenora residents were worried about the influence gaming operation could have on their easily impressionable children or the individuals seeking easy money. This resulted in the creation of a petition against the casino complex being built at the former Abitibi Mill site. Instead, the proposed casino overseen by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment could make the General Commercial area near Veterans Drive even more popular.
City council had its recent meeting scheduled for this Tuesday and the casino project was on the agenda. The official plan amendment and zoning bylaw amendment for the area where Abitibi Mill operated up until October 2005. As a result of its vote, a resolution was greenlighted for the land’s new purpose. From here on out the property would be able to welcome commercial or residential development, appropriate to its location within the city plan of Kenora.
Mayor Dan Reynard said that the owner of the property would now have the opportunity to pursue development plans. However, the commercial portion of the property could still, in theory, welcome casino complex operation down the road. For the time being, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment has not revealed plans for an alternative location for its proposed casino.
Casino Could Be Built Elsewhere
It could be recalled that back in 2016, Gateway Casinos managed to outbid all rivals for the North Gaming Bundle swelling its price to CA$79 million. As a result of that, the casino operator received the right to manage existing OLG Slots at Western Fair District, Clinton Raceway, Dresden Raceway, Hanover Raceway, Sudbury Downs, and Woodstock Raceway. As for casino locations, OLG Casino Point Edward, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie welcomed their new management.
This gaming bundle came with the opportunity of building two entirely new casino complexes in North Bay and Kenora. The former one would be called Cascades Casino North Bay and is about to launch operation in May 2020. The latter one, however, is still in its beginning stages of discussion, as the project faced hurdles earlier this year. Wauzhushk Onigum Nation claimed that over the past years it witnessed Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s malicious agenda to eliminate its gambling operation.
The lawsuit filed also lists the Ontario Government and Gateway Casinos and Entertainment as defendants. The First Nation wants to regain control over Golden Eagle Bingo Hall and nix the 20-year contract Gateway Casinos inked. In June, the Divisional Court ruled against the First Nation’s attempts to claim license for operation.
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