Operator News
Canada – Gateway Casinos makes progress on four fronts
By Phil - 2 May 2019
A busy April saw Canadian operator Gateway Casinos advance on four fronts by kick-starting construction of a $70m casino in Delta, proposing a new casino in Wasaga Beach, reopening the Playtime Casino in Hanover and announcing plans for a new casino south end of North Bay.
The $70 construction of Cascades Casino Delta, are now under way following approvals from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
This provides the final piece of approvals required for the construction project to commence; beginning with the demolishing of the existing Town and Country Inn building, which is set to take place over the next several weeks. Since receiving regulatory approvals in November, Gateway has been hard at work completing of all site planning preparations and design details in order to be ready for the commencement of construction once the civil works plan was approved.
Tony Santo, Gateway’s CEO, said: “We are very excited to finally be starting construction of the new Cascades Casino Delta. We are looking forward to bringing this state of-the-art entertainment destination to such a vibrant and rapidly growing community.”
The new Cascades Casino Delta will include up to 500 slots and 24 table games, and feature Gateway’s signature restaurant brands Match Eatery & Public House, Atlas Steak + Fish and The Buffet. The new casino is expected to open in 2020.
Gateway has successfully launched the Cascades brand in Langley, Kamloops and Penticton, BC. The first Cascades Casino in Ontario is expected to open this summer in Chatham-Kent.
The casino group also wants to build a new casino on a 7.5-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Mosley St. roundabout at Lyons Court and Beachwood Rd. in the west end of Wasaga Beach. It will feature an exciting mix of amenities including slots and table games, pending necessary government approvals and completion of the land transaction.
Construction will begin this spring, once provincial and municipal approvals are obtained. In the coming weeks, Gateway will announce more details on the size and scope of the development including new employment opportunities, food and beverage offerings and the investment in the local economy for the new build.
Keith Andrews, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Gateway Casinos Ontario, said: “We are very pleased to announce that we expect to soon be able to move forward with our plans to build an exciting new casino and entertainment destination in the Town of Wasaga Beach. We look forward to receiving all the necessary provincial and municipal approvals and concluding the land transaction so we can start construction as quickly as possible.”
Wasaga Beach Mayor Nina Bifolchi said she is pleased to welcome Gateway to Wasaga Beach. “We are thrilled that Gateway has settled on a site that will best meet its business needs and we look forward to the construction phase starting,” Mayor Bifolchi said. “We know that Gateway has a tremendous track record in its industry, they are truly leaders, and we look forward to a strong and positive relationship with them in Wasaga Beach.”
The month also saw the spectacular transformation of Playtime Casino Hanover, an $18m renovation that has added 100 new jobs to the community of Hanover.
As the first Playtime Casino in Ontario for Gateway, the new casino features 300 slots and eight live table games.
Gateway’s CAO Brad Bardua said: “I am thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of Playtime Casino Hanover and Gateway’s investment into the community of Hanover. Congratulations to the entire team and all of our community partners who worked so hard to make this possible. I know that this property will provide our guests with an entertainment experience second to none.”
The Canadian operator also wants to build a new casino on a 7.3-acre parcel of land just off Highway 11 adjacent to Nipissing Junction on Pinewood Park Drive in the south end of North Bay.
The gaming hall is expected to begin construction this summer, once municipal approvals are obtained, according to Gateway. In the coming weeks, the company is expected to announce more details on the size and scope of the development including new employment opportunities, food and beverage offerings and the investment in the local economy for the new build.
Mr. Andrews added: “We are very pleased to announce that Gateway has acquired land on Pinewood Park Drive and will soon be able to move forward with our plans to build an exciting new casino and entertainment destination in the City of North Bay. We look forward to working with OLG and the City of North Bay to achieve all the necessary approvals to start construction as quickly as possible.”
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald said the city welcomes Gateway to the community. “Their casino development will bring new jobs to the area and significant economic spinoffs,” he said.
Across its 27 gaming properties in British Columbia, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta, Gateway currently employs approximately 8,648 people and boasts approximately 448 table games, including 49 poker tables, 13,887 slots, 85 restaurants and bars and 561 hotel rooms.
