On Nov. 9, the BCLC announced the Corporation of Delta as its preferred host local government for a potential new gambling and entertainment facility, selecting Delta based on a variety of factors including strong market potential, community plans and transportation access.
The potential casino would be a relocation of Surrey’s Newton Community Gaming Centre and would be expanded to include more gambling and entertainment options. Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd., the private-sector service provider of the Newton Community Gaming Centre, would own or lease the new facility on BCLC’s behalf, and operate it on a day-to-day basis.
““In early June the BCLC asked local governments south of the Fraser to submit expressions of interest in hosting a potential gambling and entertainment facility
”
Delta and the Tsawwassen First Nation both threw their hats in the ring, while the City of Surrey declined.
On June 27, Delta council voted unanimously to submit a non-binding expression of interest for a gaming facility in the municipality. At the time, municipal staff identified the 11-acre Delta Town & Country Inn property at the intersection of Hwy. 99 and Hwy. 17A/62b St. as the only location they would support for development of a gaming facility and entertainment complex.
“It's isolated, it's not near schools, it's not in the communities [and] people won't be driving there through communities,” George Harvie, Delta's chief administrative officer, told council.
““The area's sited for upgrades with the new [bridge] coming in, so to us it's a perfect site
”
Ron Toigo of Shato Holdings Ltd., the owner of the Delta Town & Country Inn, expressed support for the corporation considering the property for the site of a new gaming facility and entertainment complex in a letter to the mayor dated June 16.
However, the BCLC’s announcement on Wednesday said that the Delta Town and Country Inn “is not a suitable location due to its distance from the identified market opportunity and its proximity to the River Rock Casino Resort,” adding it will work with Gateway to “determine a more suitable location that, combined with size and scope details, will form a gaming facility proposal for Delta’s consideration.”
The announcement also said the BCLC respects the authority of local governments to choose whether they want a gambling facility in their community and will only consider pursuing development in communities where local governments indicate interest.
According to a BCLC background document, a new gaming facility in the region could generate between $25 million and $50 million in incremental revenue. Host local governments would receive 10 per cent of net gaming income in their communities, meaning a casino could bring the Corporation of Delta about $1.5 million to $3 million per year.