By: Cam Fortems in Municipal Government, News, Provincial Politics Kamloops NEWS
The B.C. Liberal government has no intention of forcing Lake City Casinos to remain downtown, said MLA Todd Stone, in whose Kamloops-South Thompson riding the casino operates. Stone said he has come to learn through conversations with Lake City owner Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. and the B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC) that a new casino needs a footprint larger than what is available in downtown Kamloops. While the corporation owns the parking lot downtown behind Hotel 540, development of that site will require underground parking — something Stone said Gateway has deemed too expensive. It has now determined it needs floor space of 40,000 to 50,000 square feet, compared with the 16,000 square feet it has today. Recent news coverage has speculated Gateway intends to develop the former Rona site beside the Trans-Canada Highway in Aberdeen. The company has refused comment. The former Kamloops Daily News building — which the city has purchased for parking use — was ruled out due to development costs, Stone said. “It’s not mine or Terry’s [Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake] or BCLC’s — it’s Gateway’s decision.” A Gateway representative could not be reached for comment. Stone said the ultimate authority is the City of Kamloops, which is responsible for zoning and receives $1.3 million a year in revenues from the casino. The city has said it will need to measure the benefits of an expanded casino outside the downtown core versus the potential loss if it were to locate outside city limits. Tk’emlups Indian Band Chief Shane Gottfriedson told KTW last month it would be an “exciting opportunity” if Gateway was to consider TIB land as a new site for its casino.
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