Staff Writer
The suburb area of Delta has plans for a brand new casino complex and has approval for the same from the Vancouver City Council. However, Mayor Malcolm Brodie does not want the complex to be built and the project might not just begin under the current layout.
The potential constructors of the casino complex opine that the casino would employ more than 700 people. Not only this, it can generate up to almost $3 million in annual revenues for Delta City. These are reasons why this deal seemed to be so lucrative, not to be missed by any chance. Last week, the proposal gained final approval in 4-2 vote.
Objection put up by Mayor Brodie
As mentioned already, the new casino complex and gaming venue will be situated right outside of Vancouver in Delta. The gaming floor in the venue is expected to sit over an expansive 42,227 square foot of land. There will be 124 hotel suites in the complex, which will be in the form of modern 5-storey tower. The estimated cost of the total project is ascertained at around $70 million.
Though the plan and proposal looks really attractive, there is a challenge in the project, which has to be overcome before the final green signal is given from the provincial government. The challenge is being offered by Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. He is strongly against the project and the main reason he sites for the same is ‘terrible’ location of the complex.
Richmond is not very far from Delta and has the popular River Rock Resort, which is one of the largest and most popular casino complexes in the region and the whole province. Brodie opines that opening of a new casino complex and gaming venue will take away revenues from the existing local gaming venue. Along with this, there is another concern about which the mayor has voiced his concern. There is lack of transportation infrastructure in Delta area where the new casino complex is being set to be constructed.
Raising the transportation concerns
Brodie elaborated on his view to CBC News that the location of the new proposed casino complex is mainly a ‘car-oriented’ spot. There are actually no real public transportation facilities there. Also, the Mayor opines that chances of development around the facility are practically zero as it is located on an agricultural land. Along with his concern about the lack of transportation infrastructure, he also thinks that the buildup of the casino complex would impact the farmland in the area negatively.
The combat is there as Brodie will not in any way back down during the construction process of the new casino complex. A notice of objection has already been filed by him with the British Columbia Lotteries Corporation. This body plays a pivotal role in regulating the provincial gambling industry in the area. Final approval has to be got from this authoritative body before the construction work for the project can begin.
Previously, Brodie suggested that the location of the new casino complex could be towards the north of Vancouver as that would be a better spot for the gaming venue. He hopes that there will be considerations on the location seriously or a dispute resolution process will follow before the final decision is taken on the project’s location.
However, if the project is signed off by the Corporation, the developers will definitely break ground towards year end as preparation for grand opening in 2020.
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