South Surrey mega-casino proposal rejected
Posted January 19, 2013 8:11 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – After a marathon session that began last night and ended this morning, Surrey City Council has voted against a proposed mega-casino project in South Surrey.
Surrey Mayor Diane Watts was the deciding vote early Saturday morning. Council voted down the a proposed mega casino in South Surrey by a vote of 5-4.
There was no shortage of passion, or speakers, on day two of the public hearing. Like the first one on Monday, it went into the wee hours.
Hour after hour council heard how the city would benefit from the new resort-style attraction being proposed by Gateway Casinos.
“I really emphasize the fact that it would have a theatre, it would have restaurants,” says one man who had addressed council.
“There’s job opportunities in its construction,” said another. “I’ve been to casinos lots of times and I’ve never been offered drugs or prostitutes,” said a third.
The rejection of the proposal is a huge disappointment for the BCLC.
The corporation’s Jim Lightbody says the project would have provided a huge economic boost for the city.
“This casino and entertainment complex was going to offer 1,200 jobs during the construction phase and 500 permanent local jobs. That’s something that this city really needs.”
He’s reminding people gambling is a choice.
But for others, the project represents the loss of a quiet, livable neighbourhood. “I live where I live because I suffer from a mental illness. It’s dark and quiet and remote, and now they are proposing to put this casino 60 feet from my bedroom,” one woman relayed.
“Eighteen per cent of seniors that go to casinos will get addicted,” an SFU PhD student told council.
“Money laundering is a huge problem at casinos,” declared another speaker.
Close to 200 people were signed up to speak over the course of the hearing.
The 100 million dollar resort-style plan included slot machines, a 200-room hotel, a theatre, and four restaurants to be built at 10 Ave. and 168 St.
- An artist’s rendering of the complex
