Going to the dogs The benefits of a raw food diet Page A9
NEWS: Fernwood home facing wrecking ball /A5 ARTS: Artist paints picture of invisible pain /A7 SPORTS: Kids at Tennis reaches 2,000 children /A16
VICTORIANEWS Wednesday, December 2, 2015
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Potential casino has businesses already buzzing Pamela Roth Victoria News
The thought of having a casino potentially call downtown Victoria home has the city’s business community already buzzing. Although the city is only at the expression of interest phase in the selection process, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is keen to see what a proposal would entail and how a casino would fit into the community. According to Bruce Carter, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, people have been talking about a potential casino for years. Now the talk has turned to wondering, is it a possibility? “I think there’s tremendous opportunity there and we as a community can’t afford to ignore those things that add to our entertainment district and our tax revenue,” said Carter, adding if such a facility could be used to build off-season business, it would make it even more attractive. “I think there’s a
lot of interest in can we make something positive out of this? We need to look at what we can do to refresh our entertainment and attractions.” In early October, the B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC) asked six communities throughout the region whether they would be interested in hosting a casino or community gaming facility — in addition to the View Royal Casino, Playtime Victoria in Saanich and Bingo Bingo in Esquimalt. BCLC has identified Saanich, Oak Bay, Victoria, Esquimalt, Esquimalt First Nation and the Songhees First Nation as markets with potential for a second facility. The request for expression of interest is the preliminary phase of BCLC’s selection process. Municipalities have until Dec. 11 to respond, but so far everyone except Oak Bay has publicly said they are interested in being considered. “We don’t know right now where we’re going to go. It’s too early,” said BCLC spokesperson Angela Koulyras. “We need to
Don Denton/Victoria News
Festive flowers Dagmar McCord, assistant supervisor for Horticultural and Nursery Operations with the City of Victoria parks department, stands in a Beacon Hill Park Nursery greenhouse with some of the more than 700 poinsettia plants ready to be distributed to different city locales including City Hall and community centres for the holiday season. Parks staff receive poinsettia cuttings in July and grow them to full size plants for December. take the time to review what’s submitted to us, how they’ve answered the questions they were asked and then determine the next step.” According to a staff report presented to council last week, Victoria has guidelines and policies that were adopted in 2003 for regulating
a casino’s location and development. The guidelines state a facility could range in size from 30,000 to 60,000 square feet, and must be incorporated into a mixed-use development containing other nongaming amenities. Areas that would be considered include parts of the downtown
and the tourism precinct of James Bay, as well as the DouglasBlanshard corridor from the north edge of downtown to the city boundary at Tolmie Street. Council may amend the guidelines to include other possible locations, but staff recommend the best place for a casino would be situated close
to a major tourism locale. The guidelines also state that a professional social impact analysis, which would demonstrate how health and security impacts would be monitored and mitigated, must accompany a casino rezoning application. In addition, the
report noted a new casino facility could add significant dollars to the city’s annual revenue, which could be allocated to housing initiatives or infrastructure reserves to fund priority projects such as Fire Hall No. 1 and Crystal Pool. PlEASE SEE: Casino revenue, Page A3
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