Great Canadian Gaming Corp. could start building its earth-friendly gaming centre as soon it gets its development permit, and the bingo and slot machines could start humming in the new building at 227th Street and Lougheed Highway by 2010.
After a jam-packed public hearing Wednesday, Maple Ridge council voted 6-1 Thursday night to allow relocation of the Haney Bingo Plex on 224th Street to the new community gaming centre on the highway at 227th Street. The $24-million building will be an energy efficient one with a green roof and underground parking. A conference room will have a maximum capacity of 450 people. Coun. Linda King voted against the third reading because she opposed inclusion of up to 150 slot machines. It’s possible to have a gaming centre without them, she said. “I don’t see why we have to have them.” Before the money starts rolling in to municipal coffers, (10 per cent of the slot machine profits), council needs a clear process to determine where the dollars will go – and they shouldn’t go into general revenue, said Coun. Ernie Daykin. The money has to be carefully managed and gambling dollars may not always be there, he said.But all levels of government have become addicted to gambling dollars, he added.
Legal questions over gambling have been answered a long time ago, said Coun. Judy Dueck. And she agreed, the district’s cut shouldn’t flow into general accounts. At one point, Mayor Gordy Robson asked B.C. Lottery Corp. public affairs manager Greg Walker about the government’s process for allocating gambling revenue to charities and communities. Robson wanted to know if municipalities had any input.
They could, Walker replied, noting that’s an ongoing process.
But after advice from the district clerk, council ceased questioning Walker because until a final vote has occurred, council can’t hear any more information about an application once a public hearing has taken place. Walker will appear at a later council workshop.
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