Casino firm to add slots to horse racing at Vancouver's Hastings Park

The Province Published: Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Great Canadian Gaming Corp. is forging ahead with its plan to bring 600 slot machines to Hastings Park.The company, which co-owns the racetrack, said yesterday it plans to install 150 slots before the end of the year, even though the court battle over slots isn't over.Hastings Park Conservancy, a group opposed to having slot machines at the east Vancouver landmark, has appealed a 2006 B.C. Supreme Court ruling that dismissed its petition seeking to overturn city council's 2004 decision to allow slots.The B.C. Court of Appeal has yet to rule on the Conservancy's last-ditch attempt to stop the slots.

Great Canadian is banking on profits from slot machines being big enough to turn the racetrack into a profitable operation once again."The company is confident that the appeal will not be successful," Great Canadian said in a news release yester- day.Its chairman and CEO, Ross McLeod, said: "We are pleased to be moving forward with the introduction of slot machines at Hastings racecourse."The development of new gaming and entertainment offerings at this facility has been a priority for the company since first receiving approval for slot machines in 2004."The second phase of development will see Great Canadian make improvements to the property, increasing the total number of slots to 600, by late 2008 or early 2009.That expansion will also include new food, beverage and entertainment amenities.

In the same release, Great Canadian said it will upgrade its gaming operations at Fraser Downs standardbred track in Surrey and next month shut down the casino on Broadway in Vancouver it has operated since 1986.Fraser Downs currently has 449 slot machines"The history and tradition of the horse-racing industry is important to Great Canadian," said McLeod."The contribution from slot-machine revenues to the racing purse pool is a vital step toward rejuvenating the horse-racing industry for all stakeholders through higher purses and stronger breeder programs."