SPC stays out of application for casino

NEWS — The City’s social planning council is staying out of the issue of rezoning the former Rona property on Versatile Drive for a casino.

Gateway Casinos and Entertainment has proposed moving its casino from the Hotel 540 to the now-empty Rona site and transforming it into a $34-million combination casino, restaurant and 500-seat outdoor theatre.

First, though, City council will have to deal with an application to rezone the property. As part of the process leading up to a hearing on the rezoning, it asked the SPC for an opinion.

The advisory group saw both pros and cons to the plan, and decided at a recent meeting not to make a recommendation. Instead, it left the decision up to City council to “review the social considerations.”

Some members of the SPC felt the new site would have more focus on entertainment and less on gambling, which was a positive. Concern was expressed that if they didn’t support the new location, the casino might move outside the city’s boundaries.

Another plus to supporting it was that the Rona site is less accessible to people with gambling addictions.

On the negative side was the fact both the community plan and city centre plan support major cultural and entertainment facilities remaining in the downtown core.

“Lessened community vibrancy and, in particular, reduced access to amenities would have significant social implications,” state the minutes of the meeting.

As well, new tenants on the current site aren’t guaranteed, says the SPC. Owners of the Hotel 540 have proposed a new performing arts centre be built there but the planning council points out the former Cineplex movie theatre across Sixth Avenue from the hotel has been empty for many years.

“Empty lots and buildings in the downtown result in social impacts, including disconnect and vandalism.”

And the Rona location is in an area with the highest debt-to-income ratio in Kamloops, “which is a newly emerging and growing vulnerable population across Canada,” according to the planning group.

The new casino would be called Cascades Casino instead of the current Lake City Casino.. No date has been set for a public hearing on the rezoning application.