A group opposed to the Kingsway Entertainment District, which includes a casino and arena in Sudbury, Ontario is using GoFundMe to raise $100,000 to try to drum up public opposition to the proposal. So far, the group, CasinoFreeSudbury, has raised $6,000.
Tom Fortin, who heads the group, told the Sudbury Star, “There are many in our community opposed to the establishment of a full casino in Sudbury,” the page said. “Whether your concerns are economic, cultural, social or environmental, it is only by combing our efforts into one, that we have a real chance of preventing this project from moving forward.”
The city council’s planning committee has approved a rezoning for the $60 million casino and $100 million arena and events center. This action needs to be ratified by the full casino, with a vote expected on April 10.
The city government wants to borrow $100 million to replace the existing Sudbury Arena. Gateway would build the casino.
Fortin vows to fight these actions with appeals, using the GoFundMe funds to raise public awareness. He wrote, “Let’s all work together to get our city back on track towards sustainable economic development where we embrace all that makes our city a great place to live, work and play.”
Gateway is licensed to operate five casinos in Northern Ontario, including existing casinos in Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay and North Bay and Kenora.
