THUNDER BAY — Ontario's casino industry is anxious to reopen after being shut down for nearly four months because of COVID-19.
- Gateway Casinos has also halted construction of its new multi-million-dollar facility in North Bay, which was expected to open this year. The company declined an interview, but says it is focused.
- North bay can be discovered in the Ontario Province (Canada). It's big town, with a total number 53000 occupants. Unfortunately, there isn't a casino in North bay. But you will find places nearby like Olg Slots Casino Sudbury Downs and Casino Rama & Hotel.
The province has not announced a date, but operators hope to get the green light when the government moves to Stage 3 of its reopening plan, possibly later this month.
Cascades Casino North Bay Review. On May 31, 2019, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited broke ground for its new $31 million Cascades Casino North Bay at 300 Pinewood Park Drive in Callandar, Ontario. The approximately $31 million investment will reportedy span over 39,000 square feet and feature 300 slots and eight live table games.
Although the government has not specified what will be included in Stage 3, its general framework released in April indicated Stage 3 would mean opening all workplaces 'responsibly' and further relaxing restrictions on public gatherings.
The framework also suggested that mass gatherings such as concerts and spectator sports events would remain prohibited indefinitely.
Rob Mitchell, spokesperson for Gateway Casinos which operates the casino in Thunder Bay and numerous other Ontario communities, says 'We're still waiting to hear from the provincial government whether we will be a part of Stage 3. We expect we will.'
Where Is The Casino Going In North Bay Village
In an interview with tbnewswatch.com, Mitchell said 'We're prepared. We've worked very hard to get our facilities ready for reopening in terms of personal protective equipment, sanitation stations and that kind of thing.'
Mitchell said a detailed plan has been submitted to the province regarding the hygienic measures that would be put in place to protect casino patrons and employees.
Beyond that, he said, the reopening of casinos is beyond the industry's control.
'Any decision to reopen will be determined by public health officials in cooperation with the government, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.'
Last month, an industry group – the Canadian Gaming Association – presented its strategy for reopening to the legislature's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.
Mitchell said the CGA is waiting for feedback from the province.
When asked to speculate about the number of people who might be allowed in casinos at any given time, he said that's in the government's hands.
However, it's been reported that the industry has proposed a maximum of 50 per cent occupancy and the elimination of many playing spots to ensure physical distancing.
In the meantime, Gateway has reached reached return-to-operations agreements covering hundreds of union members at some of the company's properties in Ontario and B.C.
The company and Unifor said Tuesday the agreement includes an extension of benefits, improves job security, and gives union members the option to choose a retroactive paid leave, partially funded by the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
They said it also contains a number of items to help the company return to operations more quickly and efficiently, once government approval is obtained.
Unifor national president Jerry Dias called the agreement 'an important step in the right direction towards providing our members with certainty in these uncertain times.'
More than 140 Gateway Casino workers in Thunder Bay are represented by the Steelworkers union.
A union representative told Tbnewswatch an announcement is pending about a similar deal it has struck for its members at Gateway properties in Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.
Where Is The Casino Going In North Bay Area
Jason Lacko said that, with casino reopening dates still uncertain, having an agreement in place is important because 'they know the staff will be there. That's probably the biggest hurdle.'
Lacko added 'We don't know where people decide to go in four or five or six months, or however long it takes. People start going somewhere else. At least knowing the staff will be retained is probably worth more than anything.'
Mitchell said he believes most of the laid-off staff have had access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit program.
North Bay City Council has expressed a desire for a new casino to be situated on Pinewood Park Drive and it looks like that is where the project is headed.
After months of discussions with the MTO and little activity on the preferred site across from the North Bay Regional Health Centre, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited is acknowledging that the project will not move forward at that location off Highway 17 just west of North Bay. Gateway says a deal with the ministry concerning a cloverleaf interchange was the sticking point.
In correspondence, Rob Mitchell, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Gateway Casinos writes, 'Project is going forward. Gateway still intends to build a casino in North Bay.'
Mitchell says a deal to locate the casino at a site other than at Eloy Road is in the works. He adds an announcement regarding the new location, as well as details on jobs to be created, Gateway's investment, and a timeline until operations commence is 'imminent.'
See related: Gateway has 2020 vision for a casino
And: Casino operator for potential North Bay casino named by OLG
Throughout the long, drawn-out affair with OLG over a casino build in the city, it was Council that made moves to facilitate such an action in the south end as a way of encouraging development in that area with services needing to be extended farther down Pinewood Park Drive. This area has also been mentioned as a potential site for a new arena project.
The City of North Bay rezoned land where the Moe-Ze-On-Inn once sat in hopes that the proponent chosen to build and operate the casino would choose that site. A second, larger, privately-held piece of property across the street from the City-owned site was also rezoned by Council for consideration.
- Gateway Casinos has also halted construction of its new multi-million-dollar facility in North Bay, which was expected to open this year. The company declined an interview, but says it is focused.
- North bay can be discovered in the Ontario Province (Canada). It's big town, with a total number 53000 occupants. Unfortunately, there isn't a casino in North bay. But you will find places nearby like Olg Slots Casino Sudbury Downs and Casino Rama & Hotel.
The province has not announced a date, but operators hope to get the green light when the government moves to Stage 3 of its reopening plan, possibly later this month.
Cascades Casino North Bay Review. On May 31, 2019, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited broke ground for its new $31 million Cascades Casino North Bay at 300 Pinewood Park Drive in Callandar, Ontario. The approximately $31 million investment will reportedy span over 39,000 square feet and feature 300 slots and eight live table games.
Although the government has not specified what will be included in Stage 3, its general framework released in April indicated Stage 3 would mean opening all workplaces 'responsibly' and further relaxing restrictions on public gatherings.
The framework also suggested that mass gatherings such as concerts and spectator sports events would remain prohibited indefinitely.
Rob Mitchell, spokesperson for Gateway Casinos which operates the casino in Thunder Bay and numerous other Ontario communities, says 'We're still waiting to hear from the provincial government whether we will be a part of Stage 3. We expect we will.'
Where Is The Casino Going In North Bay Village
In an interview with tbnewswatch.com, Mitchell said 'We're prepared. We've worked very hard to get our facilities ready for reopening in terms of personal protective equipment, sanitation stations and that kind of thing.'
Mitchell said a detailed plan has been submitted to the province regarding the hygienic measures that would be put in place to protect casino patrons and employees.
Beyond that, he said, the reopening of casinos is beyond the industry's control.
'Any decision to reopen will be determined by public health officials in cooperation with the government, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.'
Last month, an industry group – the Canadian Gaming Association – presented its strategy for reopening to the legislature's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.
Mitchell said the CGA is waiting for feedback from the province.
When asked to speculate about the number of people who might be allowed in casinos at any given time, he said that's in the government's hands.
However, it's been reported that the industry has proposed a maximum of 50 per cent occupancy and the elimination of many playing spots to ensure physical distancing.
In the meantime, Gateway has reached reached return-to-operations agreements covering hundreds of union members at some of the company's properties in Ontario and B.C.
The company and Unifor said Tuesday the agreement includes an extension of benefits, improves job security, and gives union members the option to choose a retroactive paid leave, partially funded by the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
They said it also contains a number of items to help the company return to operations more quickly and efficiently, once government approval is obtained.
Unifor national president Jerry Dias called the agreement 'an important step in the right direction towards providing our members with certainty in these uncertain times.'
More than 140 Gateway Casino workers in Thunder Bay are represented by the Steelworkers union.
A union representative told Tbnewswatch an announcement is pending about a similar deal it has struck for its members at Gateway properties in Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.
Where Is The Casino Going In North Bay Area
Jason Lacko said that, with casino reopening dates still uncertain, having an agreement in place is important because 'they know the staff will be there. That's probably the biggest hurdle.'
Lacko added 'We don't know where people decide to go in four or five or six months, or however long it takes. People start going somewhere else. At least knowing the staff will be retained is probably worth more than anything.'
Mitchell said he believes most of the laid-off staff have had access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit program.
North Bay City Council has expressed a desire for a new casino to be situated on Pinewood Park Drive and it looks like that is where the project is headed.
After months of discussions with the MTO and little activity on the preferred site across from the North Bay Regional Health Centre, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited is acknowledging that the project will not move forward at that location off Highway 17 just west of North Bay. Gateway says a deal with the ministry concerning a cloverleaf interchange was the sticking point.
In correspondence, Rob Mitchell, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Gateway Casinos writes, 'Project is going forward. Gateway still intends to build a casino in North Bay.'
Mitchell says a deal to locate the casino at a site other than at Eloy Road is in the works. He adds an announcement regarding the new location, as well as details on jobs to be created, Gateway's investment, and a timeline until operations commence is 'imminent.'
See related: Gateway has 2020 vision for a casino
And: Casino operator for potential North Bay casino named by OLG
Throughout the long, drawn-out affair with OLG over a casino build in the city, it was Council that made moves to facilitate such an action in the south end as a way of encouraging development in that area with services needing to be extended farther down Pinewood Park Drive. This area has also been mentioned as a potential site for a new arena project.
The City of North Bay rezoned land where the Moe-Ze-On-Inn once sat in hopes that the proponent chosen to build and operate the casino would choose that site. A second, larger, privately-held piece of property across the street from the City-owned site was also rezoned by Council for consideration.
There has been plenty of opposition to a casino being built in North Bay. Janet Zimbalatti has been a frequent presenter before Council, often citing statistics that she maintains indicate the human and societal cost of a casino is greater than the public is being led to believe.
