Hard Rock International is joining forces with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to transform the province’s Rideau Carleton Raceway into a 0 million “integrated entertainment destination”.
Hard Rock won a competitive bidding process to secure the 20-year agreement, which calls for the company and Rideau Carleton Raceway Holdings to develop a resort at the track called Hard Rock Casino Ottawa. Plans include a branded hotel and live entertainment arena, a Hard Rock Café and a 13,000-square-meter (139,000-square-foot) casino.
Construction is expected to generate 1,900 jobs. At full build-out the property will support 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Rideau Carleton Director Andrew Wright described it as a “major tourist destination that will offer multi-level entertainment, energized horse racing, a broader market and substantial economic benefits for all of our employees, patrons and the Ottawa community”.
In the meantime, Hard Rock will boost Rideau’s current gaming offering by 750 machine games for a total of 2,000 and will add 21 table games.
“This is a crucial first step towards a larger strategic vision of our world-class brand’s expansion efforts in Ontario and throughout Canada,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming CEO, in a statement.
The Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida owns Hard Rock International.
