Plans moving ahead for new casino

NEWS — Plans are moving ahead for the new casino at the former Rona store along with road changes to take care of the extra traffic when it opens.

Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. plans to move its casino from 540 Victoria Str. to 1555 Versatile Drive in Aberdeen. City council gave preliminary approval to the project after a public hearing in August subject to details on traffic improvements and a construction schedule.

Since then, a detailed survey of the Hugh Allan corridor has been done, a road redesign started, plans made for relocating utilities and agreement reached with the Transportation Ministry on new signals.

Construction on most of the road issues, including $2.8 million in improvements to Hugh Allan Drive and Versatile Drive, paid for by Gateway, is scheduled for completion by the middle of next year.

Council will vote on adoption of an official community plan amendment Tuesday to pave the way for the work. It will also vote on issuing a development permit for the new casino.

The permit will allow changes to the Rona building to rooflines and the exterior look, allow glass-canopied patio seating for three restaurants, and add to the landscaping.