701 replies to this topic

[Danma]

Given the "civilized" vibe of Victoria it likes to present to visitors, maybe we need a little taste of Monté Carlo for our evening visitors

[sdwright.vic]

It seems to me that those that are against these types of things are more for themselves then they are the people they "think" it will hurt.

[VicHockeyFan]

BCLC evaluates five expressions of interest in hosting a gaming facility in Greater Victoria

10/12/2015

BCLC has moved into the evaluation phase of its Expression of Interest process with five out of six local governments, including First Nations, in Greater Victoria now having formally expressed an interest to BCLC in being considered to host a gaming facility in their community.

 

BCLC has received Expressions of Interest from the City of Victoria, District of Saanich, Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt First Nation and Songhees First Nation. The District of Oak Bay has declined.

 

BCLC will now begin to assess responses based on a number of factors, including population trends, existing community policies, plans or zoning that permit or restrict gaming in a community, and estimated revenue potential in an area.

 

BCLC will take the necessary time to complete its assessment and expects to finalize its decision sometime in the new year. An announcement will be made at the conclusion of this assessment including details regarding next steps to determine the gaming facility operator (service provider) and public consultation process. 

BCLC initiated the Expression of Interest process in October 2015 after identifying there is opportunity in the Greater Victoria marketplace for an additional gaming facility, The Expression of Interest process is intended to be an initial first step in gauging interest and does not constitute a commitment by BCLC or the local government to develop a gaming facility in a given community. It is intended to be a transparent, initial step in the process. Any facility proposals put forward by BCLC will require the local government to seek and consider adequate community input and other consultation requirements.

 

- See more at: http://corporate.bcl...h.VicKYxbj.dpuf

 

 

http://corporate.bcl...r-victoria.html

[Mike K.]

Interesting.

 

I wonder if Desjardins plans to build a casino at McLoughlin Point. Wouldn't that be grand?

[VicHockeyFan]

Interesting.

 

I wonder if Desjardins plans to build a casino at McLoughlin Point. Wouldn't that be grand?

 

Yes, with a big ferris wheel and roller coaster too.

[Nparker]

I find Frank Stanford's concerns regarding a 2nd casino rather odd.

 

I suppose not having a second casino in  the Victoria area is no longer an option.  At least not a realistic one. BC Lottery Corporation seems hell bent on opening a new one somewhere in the capital region.  As of yesterday, it has moved to a second phase of review, having separated the wheat from the chaff, and decided that either Saanich or Victoria will win the lottery and be selected host city...

If "officially" Victoria experiences no ill effects from one tent city (and perhaps another if certain members of Council have their way) then approving a casino should be a cake walk.

[VicHockeyFan]

Here is the BCLC release:   http://corporate.bcl...st-process.html

 

Look, it makes no sense to go anywhere except downtown.  Where it can bring in tourist dollars.  How about in the last phase of Hudson, where the old parkade is now.

[Jacques Cadé]

How about the (largely empty) Crystal Gardens?

[VicHockeyFan]

How about the (largely empty) Crystal Gardens?

 

Makes sense.  Or the new Empress Residences ground floor.

[Nparker]

How about the (largely empty) Crystal Gardens?

This seems the most logical choice...therefore the city will not allow it.

[spanky123]

Here is the BCLC release:   http://corporate.bcl...st-process.html

 

Look, it makes no sense to go anywhere except downtown.  Where it can bring in tourist dollars.  How about in the last phase of Hudson, where the old parkade is now.

 

Tourists aren't going to be going to the casino in any great numbers. The 'boat people' aren't in town long enough and every cruise ship has its own casino. Regular tourists most likely have a car and can go anywhere. If you recall, the tourism promise was behind the View Royal casino and that proved a bust.

 

Best location in my opinion is the old bowling alley on Douglas behind Mayfair. Central location, lots of parking and an unused site.

 

What I would find really funny is if the BCLC decided that the security problems and loitering downtown were deterrents to having a casino there. Helps and Isitt would be out themselves clubbing the transients like baby seals if that ever happened.

[VicHockeyFan]

This seems the most logical choice...therefore the city will not allow it.

 

Like how they voted down a Yuk Yuks at the Q apartment.  But "Fairfield" residents won't have an official community voice to oppose a casino that will likely be open until 4am.

 

Does anyone know if they serve alcohol at View Royal right up to 4am closing?

[UDeMan]

I agree the old Mayfair Bowling Alley is the perfect location.  I believe this is right on the Saanich/VIctoria border, so maybe they could have some joint partnership.

 

Plenty of overflow parking at Mayfair Mall which is not used after 9 pm, so no need to build a huge parkade there.

 

I remember when the Casino was on Finlayson/Douglas, they had an agreement to allow parking at the mall in the evening.

[VicHockeyFan]

I agree the old Mayfair Bowling Alley is the perfect location.  I believe this is right on the Saanich/VIctoria border, so maybe they could have some joint partnership.

 

Plenty of overflow parking at Mayfair Mall which is not used after 9 pm, so no need to build a huge parkade there.

 

I remember when the Casino was on Finlayson/Douglas, they had an agreement to allow parking at the mall in the evening.

 

Well, it's in Saanich.  I don't know why one municipality or the other would cut a deal to share the $4M.  I don't know, you put it that far out of downtown and I think you lose lots of potential tourist traffic.

 

Why not out at Sports Traders, that store is closing.  Capital Iron parking lot can be used after 5pm/6pm, they do not even stay open Friday nights.

[Nparker]

...Why not out at Sports Traders, that store is closing.  Capital Iron parking lot can be used after 5pm/6pm, they do not even stay open Friday nights.

It might also spur some redevelopment of this area.

[Mike K.]

View Royal's mayor seems very unhappy that another casino may open in the region.

Does he think he owns the rights to casinos around here? It's just odd to have someone miffed that a casino that haphazardly ended up in his municipality is now View Royal's and the West Shore's little funding advantage.

[VicHockeyFan]

View Royal's mayor seems very unhappy that another casino may open in the region.

Does he think he owns the rights to casinos around here? It's just odd to have someone miffed that a casino that haphazardly ended up in his municipality is now View Royal's and the West Shore's little funding advantage.

 

Well, I suspect they have come to rely on that funding and have it built into budgets now.  So you can sort of understand.

 

But I'm not sure why he is advocating Saanich and Victoria getting together to share revenue.  Why?

[Mike K.]

A lot of what comes out of View Royal is suffixed by: why?

[RFS]

^these little issues are why we need amalgamation

[Mike K.]

It is important to give credit where credit is due, and Helps did say something interesting on her CFAX segment yesterday. Speaking about View Royal mayor Screeche's statement about profit sharing with Saanich, she said that's all well and good, but where's the "cost sharing" with Victoria for things like theatres or other initiatives that benefit Saanich residents but which are paid for by Victoria tax payers?

Quite frankly, she's RIGHT. So it'll be interesting to see how the conversation progresses on the casino front and if Helps starts calling out her Saanich counterpart on his less than stellar attitude towards things like, well, things like paying the remainder of what Saanich owes for the arena.