Ontario Gaming East Limited Partnership announced it will build a gaming and entertainment facility, Shorelines Casino Peterborough, featuring slots, table games and more. Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, based in British Columbia, will operate the property and also was given the option to build additional new casinos.
Spokesman Chuck Keeling said the new casino will absorb all 150 jobs from Kawartha Downs and add 150 new jobs. Slots from Kawartha Downs will be relocated to Peterborough, Keeling said. The new casino is expected to open in 2017. Keeling noted the facility will not include a hotel or convention center, although a hotel eventually could be built nearby.
Slots at Kawartha Downs operated in Fraserville in Cavan Monaghan Township since 1999. Mayor Scott McFadden said the township tried to keep the gaming facility by rezoning to accommodate table gaming. Instead the township can expect to lose nearly $3 million in annual slot revenue, funds that had been used to repair roads and bridges. The facility still may offer harness racing but McFadden said that might not be feasible without slots. “Obviously, we’re disappointed,” he said.
Sheila Nabigon-Howlett, chairwoman of No Casino Peterborough, said, “I personally think it’s still not over.” She noted since the city council vote to host a casino, a municipal election has been held. She said if the council voted today the outcome could be different. However, Mayor Daryl Bennett said he sees “no benefit” to having another debate. “We’re looking to create new jobs and spur new business,” he said. He added, although the casino location does not have many other buildings now, over time it will be built up have a distinctive look, just like downtown. “This area will have a character all its own,” Bennett said.
