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FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018
Casino gets council approval 4-2 vote in favour of Gateway’s $70M project
Over 100 have say at two-day public hearing
SANDOR GYARMATI
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
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
They must consider what’s in the best interest of Delta. That was a central theme conveyed by Delta council members Wednesday evening as they gave conditional approval to Gateway’s $70-million casino complex for the Delta Town & Country Inn site. Following the conclusion of the public hearing at the Ladner Community Centre, which had just over 100 speakers over two days, council gave the rezoning application third reading.
The public jammed the Ladner Community Centre on two straight nights earlier this week as more than 100 people had their say at a public hearing on a controversial casino proposed for Ladner. The divide was evident at the outset Tuesday with opponents and supporters stating their cases in an effort to sway Delta council. The majority of speakers were against the proposal, citing concerns about money laundering, crime and gambling addiction. Some warned about traffic problems, while others spoke about losing the identity of what makes Ladner special. Some called on council to either put a question on this fall’s election ballot or defer everything until the recommendations of an independent provincial review on gaming is released. Those in favour talked about the economic benefits, including having up to $3 million in annual revenue for the city, the 700 jobs the complex would create as well as expanded entertainment options. They also warned the Tsawwassen First Nation could end up with the casino if Delta rejected the proposal. Several on the second day spoke of Delta’s need for upgraded and new facilities. CRIME: see Page 3
INSIDE Tennis solution in the works: Page 3 Mayor Lois Jackson and councillors Sylvia Bishop, Robert Campbell and Bruce McDonald voted in favour, while Jeannie Kanakos and Heather King voted in opposition. Coun. Ian Paton had earlier removed himself from the proceedings after receiving an email from a resident alleging he would be in conflict of interest because he is also an MLA. Saying she has great faith in the Delta Police Department, Jackson said the decision was not based simply on revenue, contending the advantages and disadvantages were carefully analyzed.
PHOTO BY SANDOR GYARMATI
Kip Barlow, 13, told Delta council at Tuesday’s public hearing that the loss of the indoor tennis facility makes the casino proposal a bad deal for Delta. Although more people at the hearing spoke in opposition than in support, Campbell said he can’t just base his decision on emotion or raw numbers. He noted the parks, recreation
and culture department already takes up 25 per cent of the city’s budget but there’s still a long list of unfunded projects. “As we heard, that’s not enough. People want more. The
casino will provide some of that revenue,” he said. Campbell also said the economic benefit will be substantial for the community. CASINO: see Page 3
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