Casino move gets regional district’s blessing

NEWS — Some directors were concerned about possible traffic issues at the proposed new Cascades Casino on the former Rona site, but the Thompson-Nicola Regional District gave its support to the project.

Gateway Casinos and Entertainment wants to move the Lake City Casino from the Hotel 540 on Victoria Street to the Rona property at 1555 Versatile Drive, add a restaurant and outdoor theatre, and rename it Cascades Casino. The site will require rezoning by the City of Kamloops.

A recommendation came to the TNRD board Thursday that it support the rezoning subject to transportation improvements. A report from director of development services Regina Sadilkova recommended support but said “this draw away from the urban commercial core compromises its economic vibrancy and long term vitality.

“Additionally, given vehicle right of way versus traffic patterns along Versatile Drive are currently problematic, this redevelopment will aggravate the issue.”

“It’s just a bottleneck,” said Clearwater director John Harwood.

“That is a challenging corner to get around,” Cache Creek director John Ranta agreed. “It’s a somewhat dangerous intersection.”

However, the motion of support was approved without the “subject to” proviso.