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FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2016
Delta casino could be in cards
B.C. Lottery Corporation asks local governments south of river if there’s interest in gaming facility SANDOR GYARMATI
s g y a r m a t i @ d e l t a - o p t i m i s t .c o m
Delta residents could soon be playing penny slots or doubling down at a casino close to home. The B.C. Lottery Corporation announced this week it’s taking the first step in determining interest in hosting a gaming facility among local governments in two areas of the Lower Mainland it believes are underserved. The Corporation of Delta, Tsawwassen First Nation as well as the City of Surrey have been asked whether they’re interested in playing host to a new casino south of the Fraser River. Local governments on the North Shore have been asked the same question. It’s part of the lottery corporation’s new process in which it’s inviting expressions of interest from select communities. Those communities have until July 15 to let BCLC know if they’re interested. If expressions of interest are submitted, the successful community is to be announced later this year. BCLC spokesperson Angela Koulyras said it’s still too early to talk about specific locations or type of gaming facility.
PHOTO BY SANDOR GYARMATI
Mayor Lois Jackson said Delta would look into the idea of a casino after receiving an invitation from the B.C. Lottery Corporation. “We’ve reached out to these communities because it’s ultimately their decision on whether or not they want to have a gam-
ing facility. We just want to hear if they are interested at this point and there is no commitment by them or by us that we’re actually
going to do anything,” she said. Mayor Lois Jackson said Delta would look into the idea and that a staff report would come to
a public meeting of Delta council in the next couple of weeks for discussion. INVITATION: see Page 3
School district getting almost $700,000 back from province SANDOR GYARMATI
s g y a r m a t i @ d e l t a - o p t i m i s t .c o m
The Delta school district is getting extra cash from the province, money that it had originally been forced to trim from its
budget. The government announced this week it’s redirecting $690,188 in administrative savings back to the district to help it deal with cost pressures and provide front line services for
students. Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton said the school district can use the funding as it sees fit, including classroom programs, hiring new teachers or for busing.
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“School district officials have worked diligently to reduce administrative costs and now they can return these savings into front-line services for students,” said Hamilton. “We want this money to go directly toward
supporting students in the classroom and ensure the best possible education for our children.” School board chair Laura Dixon welcomed the funding news. FUNDS: see Page 3
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