One of the few remaining ingredients in the construction of the new Chances Gaming Centre was dealt with by Castlegar City Council during its regular meeting of July 18.
Sought by the gaming complex near the West Kootenay Regional Airport was a variance permit to allow for the installation of a sign with an illuminated, shaped display.
Prior to the vote on whether to grant the permit Mayor Lawrence Chernoff welcomed any interested members of the public to speak on the issue. No one accepted the invitation.
Director of development services Phil Markin informed council that the nature of the sign, with electronic messaging capability, was in violation of the city’s sign bylaw.The variance permit application was then approved by council.
The new gaming facility has been in development for four years, two years longer than initially planned for, according to Mayor Chernoff, who spoke on the matter following the meeting’s adjournment.
“We’ve had numerous incidents,” His Worship related, “numerous problems. It’s probably the slowest gaming centre development in the Province of British Columbia.”
The mayor was pleased to provide a date of July 26 as for the opening of the facility.
“I’m extremely happy to see this gaming centre come on board,” he said. “It’s a huge boost to the economy of the City of Castlegar and the area, and to me that’s the biggest part of this whole thing. It’s provided jobs, it’s provided taxes.”
He added that completion had been expected about a year and a half ago, which would have helped out during the recession.
Asked about the level of opposition to the centre, the mayor said, “Very, very little… barely even noticeable.”
Related comment was sought by parties opposed to the gaming centre, but none had been forthcoming as of press deadline.