Sudbury, Ontario took a step towards seeing a new casino built by Gateway Casinos as the city planning committee approved a zoning change for the proposed site.
The ruling came despite strong local opposition that included a letter signed by 40 local religious leaders saying the project would lead to increased “family breakdown, depression, addiction, bankruptcies and crime.”
According to CBC News, about 30 people spoke at a public input session with the majority against allowing a new casino in the city.
The site is located on the area’s Kingsway and is owned by developer Dario Zulich, who requested that the property have its zoning designation changed to allow a “place of amusement.” Gateway wants to build a $60-million casino beside a proposed $100 million arena/events center the city wants to build on the Kingsway. Both proposed projects are meeting public resistance.
Opponents of the casino said the site is actually buffered from Sudbury and would not attract tourists to the town. However, it would create problems for residents in lower income areas of the city.
“We are unified in our position that gambling is contrary to the ethical norms of our traditions because it negatively impacts our communities and the wider public,” the letter from religious leaders said. “We are deeply concerned that the relocation and expansion of the casino to the Kingsway will have a serious and disproportionately negative impact on vulnerable communities in close proximity to the proposed Kingsway location.”
Zulich told CBC News that he and Gateway are listening to residents’ concerns.
“I’m proud of the people in the city, their passion,” Zulich said. “Every citizen. That passion was felt in all the supporters, and all the people with comments. “Every time someone has a comment, if it’s not a favorable comment, I view it as an opportunity. Whether it’s parking, or access to the trail system, I have to give everybody credit. We’ve made this project a lot better because of people’s input.”
The planning committees vote is not final as it must be approved by the Sudbury City Council at a scheduled meeting next month.
