Osoyoos and Indian band combine forces in bid for gaming facility

By Tracy ClarkWestern News Staff Jan 14 2007 Penticton Western News
The Town of Osoyoos and the Osoyoos Indian Band are hoping a new united front will turn the cards in their favour when it comes to a gaming facility for the community. The community’s councils have drafted, but have yet to formally approve, a memorandum of understanding in regards to applying for and building a gaming facility in the south end of the valley. “It’s a good news story,” said Chris Scott, the chief operating officer for the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corp.

While neither group is prepared to release the details of the MOU — which will be voted on at Monday night’s town council meeting — the pair say the agreement will ensure any gaming application made the B.C. Lottery Corporation will be made with approval of both parties. The MOU was initiated after last year after the Osoyoos Indian Band said they were again working on plans for a casino.

This came right before nearly 90 per cent of voters endorsed revitalization plans, including 100 slot machines, for Desert Park. The Rocky Mountain Turf Club, who was selected by the town to bring life back to the track, has since filed an application with the B.C. Lotteries Corporation for a gaming licence. The BCLC has yet to approve their application and the parties involved have acknowledged that it is unlikely the government would approve two casino licences for the community. Scott said the BCLC requested the applicants come up with some way of working together.

Osoyoos Mayor John Slater said once the MOU is officially endorsed, a consultant will be hired to assess the best possible location, and style of casino for the community. The Rocky Mountain Turf Club will be part of that process, said Slater. “Nobody is excluded in this process,” agreed Scott. “It’s agreeing upon a process that is transparent.” Once the consultant has made recommendations and a joint application made, there is no guarantee it will be approved by the BCLC. “We now will take away at least one of the challenges,” said Scott, adding that the MOU is just building on the already close working relationship between the town and the band. The details of the MOU will be released on Tuesday.