Casino names general contractor

NEWS/ CASINO — A Kamloops-based builder has been picked as construction manager for Gateway Casinos & Entertainment’s new casino in the former Rona building on Versatile Drive.

Tony Santa, Gateway’s president and CEO, said today (Thursday) the choice of Plainsman Builders as general contractor demonstrates his company’s commitment to buying local.

“From the very beginning, Gateway committed to ensuring that our relocation will bring economic benefits to Kamloops and today we are seeing a demonstration of that commitment,” said Santo.

“We expect that our project will create more than 200 new jobs in both the construction phase and when the facility begins operating.”

Plainsman, founded in 1968, operates across Western Canada and has been headquartered in Kamloops since 1987.

Plainsman president Jim Thomson said his company has been a strong supporter of Gateway’s relocation from Victoria Street from the very start. “From the time we attended the first open house in May 2014, Plainsman has seen the economic potential associated with the relocation and we are proud to be partners with them.”

Santo said Plainsman will begin work next month and that the new casino will now likely open in the summer, well ahead of the original projection of the end of the year.