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Editorial: Slots will soon be ringing

This is going to be a great entertainment destination for Delta
Casino outside building
Entrance into main foyer into the new Gateway Casino and Entertaiment Limited's Delta location during a media tour on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

The new Delta Cascades Casino is taking shape.

On Tuesday, media were invited by Gateway Casinos for a sneak peek at the construction progress.

There is still lots of work to be done, but we now have a much better idea of what the new gaming and entertainment complex will offer and look like.

Gateway is hopeful that the grand opening will take place towards the end of September with the adjacent five-storey Delta Marriott Hotel to open soon after that.

I’m not a huge gambler, but I have to say that I’m excited about the opening of the casino.

Not only will it offer slots and table games, but new restaurant and food options and entertainment as well.

It will offer something different – a different night out with family and friends.

The Optimist has been covering this story for years and I know there is opposition out there about the casino opening.

Some residents say it is not needed and that the casino will bring an undesirable crime element to the community.

I get those arguments and I get those concerns, but let’s also look at the benefits.

According to Gateway, 500 person-years on construction employment, up to 600 new jobs, a $99.3 million investment by Gateway – all add up to great economic benefits for Delta.

Several members of the local business community were also on Tuesday’s tour and they were equally excited about the opening and the economic possibilities.

For business, the casino offers another meeting place, the ability to host out-of-town guests in the adjacent hotel for conferences bringing more positive exposure to everything that Delta has to offer. Think of the additional tourism dollars that such a facility could bring?

This is going to be a great entertainment destination for Delta.

The grand opening can’t come soon enough.