midweek edition WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2, 2011 Vol. 102 No. 9 • Established 1908 • West
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Cinematic sermons Concussion discussion
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Las Vegas company promises city $23 million a year
Council yet to decide on Western Canada’s biggest casino Mike Howell Staff writer
The gaming company proposing to build the biggest casino in Western Canada says the city will receive $23 million each year if city council approves the 1,500slot facility next to B.C. Place Stadium. The $23 million figure appeared Jan. 29 in an eightpage advertising supplement in the Vancouver Sun, which featured an update on the renovations to B.C. Place Stadium and highlighted its potential new neighbours. “At the core is the new B.C. Place, along with new hotels, restaurants and an all new gaming facility,” the advertisement said. “Together, they will provide a
new integrated destination entertainment complex for Vancouver, and will be a catalyst for the revitalization of Northeast False Creek.” Las Vegas-based Paragon Development Ltd. is the proponent of the project. It currently operates Edgewater Casino at the Plaza of Nations. The proposal calls for Edgewater to close and Paragon to move its operations into the new complex, which will be attached to B.C. Place Stadium. City council has to approve the proposal before it can go ahead. The $23 million in revenue cited by Paragon in the advertisement was not contained in a city staff report that recently went before council, which referred the
casino proposal to a Feb. 17 public hearing. The staff report indicated the city could stand to collect $17 million a year, along with a $100,000 boost from Edgewater to an existing $200,000 a year “social responsibility fund.” Edgewater provides $7 million in profits each year to the city. Tamara Hicks, director of corporate affairs and strategic communications for Paragon, said the projected $23 million annual payout to the city includes $17 million in casino profits and up to $5.5 million in property taxes. “I don’t know why [city staff] didn’t include it, you’ll have to ask them,” Hicks told the Courier. See CASINO on page 4
Manager’s exit raises concerns Carlene Robbins now in dispute with city Naoibh O’Connor Staff writer
The Edgewater Casino, which opened in 2005, would close its operations and move into the new casino complex if the controversial plan is approved. file photo Dan Toulgoet
A senior manager at city hall who unexpectedly left her job last week after 38 years on staff confirmed Monday that she’s in a dispute with the city. “There’s not a lot I can say at this point. What I’m saying is that I am currently in a dispute with the city and I’m trying to resolve it privately,” said Carlene Robbins, who was the city’s manager of property use inspection. Robbins abruptly left city hall last week.
Circumstances surrounding her departure are unclear, sparking speculation. Political blog Citycaucus, which broke the story, suggested Robbins took the “fall” for a Pandora Street rooming house fire, which killed three people just before Christmas. The blog also reported Robbins was given an ultimatum— resign or be fired. David McLellan, general manager of community services said Robbins “left her job suddenly, without notice.” He believes it wasn’t linked to the fire. See NPA’S on page 4
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