The Tsawwassen First Nation could end up as a fallback should the City of Delta decide not to approve a casino.
Representatives from Gateway Casinos and Entertainment and the B.C. Lottery Corporation were on hand for another open house Monday for a proposed Ladner casino. The event at the Tsawwassen Springs clubhouse featured morning and afternoon sessions.
During the lightly attended morning session, the Optimist asked Chris Fairclough, BCLC’s manager of stakeholder engagement, if the lottery corporation would still be committed to expanding south of the Fraser and what kind of process might unfold if Delta decided against the hotel/casino complex proposed for the Delta Town & Country Inn site.
Fairclough explained BCLC always takes a close look at applications that don’t work out, as was the case when Surrey council voted against a proposed casino that would have relocated the Newton bingo hall gaming licence. BCLC later invited Surrey, the TFN and Delta to submit expressions of interest for a new gaming facility and Surrey once again said no. Delta and the TFN, however, submitted expressions of interest, and Delta was eventually chosen.
If approved, the Delta casino would be the relocation of the Newton licence.
But if Delta ends up rejecting the proposal, there would be another review.
“We would obviously review and say, ‘What went wrong in the process and what could we have done different? Are we not putting the right foot forward?’
“If we determined that it was still a legitimate opportunity, we would look at either redoing it with the City of Delta or look at the Tsawwassen First Nation,” he explained.
Stating it wanted more information, the TFN’s submission to BCLC noted it did not have a location picked out. The First Nation also wanted to make clear that there was no obligation by submitting an expression of interest.
It remains to be seen if the TFN would go for a casino should Delta reject it as the First Nation’s government would have to decide if it wanted such a project. It would also have to go to the membership for approval.
The Delta submission was far keener than the TFN, identifying the Delta Town & Country Inn site.
The submission described the potential facility as “a complete entertainment complex, including a hotel, conference centre and restaurants” and that the “complex would be a tourist attraction that aligns with the objectives of Delta’s Tourism Strategy to increase visitor volumes and awareness about Delta as a tourist destination, while extending tourists’ length of stay and spending.”
As far as the current Gateway application, Fairclough said they’ve “had great feedback from these open houses and that’s what they’re all about.”
One couple who attended the Monday morning session told the Optimist they supported the idea of a casino but preferred more live music and entertainment options. They also suggested a free shuttle for residents in Ladner, Tsawwassen and North Delta.
Gateway will hold another open house in South Delta next month. The City of Delta will also be holding its own public information sessions before a report goes to Delta council.
If the application receives preliminary approval, it would then proceed to a public hearing.
Host cities get a 10 per cent cut of casino revenues, which could mean millions annually for Delta’s coffers.
