The first off two hearings on the Kingsway arena and casino proposed for Sudbury, Ontario on 11.96 hectares by British Columbia-based Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. have been scheduled for January 22. The arena would cost $100 million and the casino $60 million.
Although the project has been approved by the city council, opposition has formed recently, with demands that city voters be allowed to have a say. A grassroots meeting attended by 75 residents two weeks ago was organized by No Casino Sudbury, which claims to have collected over 2,000 signatures from opponents who claim the project would hurt the economy and fuel
A member of the group, Loughheed Yawney, told CBC News “It’s actually 5 times the amount that No Casino Toronto got that successfully defeated the casino in Toronto.” The casino proposal was defeated in 2013.
Gateway currently operates a racino at Sudbury Downs. It released a statement last week: “In a time when unregulated gambling is readily available on a smart phone app, we offer gaming and entertainment in a responsible and highly regulated environment that allows adults to be social, enjoy a fun experience with friends or family that may include dining, gaming, live entertainment – or all of the above.”
A Sudbury council member, Mike Vagnini said the opposition may have formed too late.
“We get groups like this coming out, bringing out different information so I’m just trying to take it all in,” he said last week.
