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ab K A M L O O P S
Kamloops, B.C., Canada X 30 cents at Newsstands
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TUESDAY
Tuesday, February 4, 2014 X Volume 27 No. 13
THIS WEEK
If you like Bob Seger, you are going to love this concert Page B1 Thompson River Publications Partnership Ltd.
Will casino decamp downtown for Rona? By Andrea Klassen STAFF REPORTER andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
WHAT
HAPPENED
TO
WILDHORSE
TOWN?
PAGES A10-A11 Dave Eagles/KTW
According to a company spokesperson, Lake City Casinos is committed to serving Kamloops — but, beyond that, the company won’t address persistent rumours it is looking to make the move from Victoria Street downtown to the former Rona location on Versatile Drive. Should a change of venue be on the table, city leaders will have plenty to mull over, from the health of the downtown to the more than $2 million in gaming revenue that comes into Kamloops’ coffers each year because of local gambling establishments. City CAO David Trawin said the rezoning process that would be required to allow a casino at 1555 Versatile Dr. isn’t any different than what other businesses would face — beyond the fact the city doesn’t have any land pre-emptively zoned for casinos. Because of the nature of the operation, Trawin said the city might choose to send the rezoning application to the social planning commission for comment. City council could also decide to notify homeowners and tenants outside the usual 100-metre range of the property since few, if any, residences would fall within that boundary. For city planners, Trawin said there are a host of other considerations. “What’s the impact on the downtown? Because we’ve got a lot of policies to keep the downtown strong,” he said. “What’s the impact on the casino? If we force them to go downtown, is it practical given the size they want to grow and the parking needs?
Downtown or uptown?
Where would you like to see the casino? Tell us at editor@kamloopsthisweek.com COLUMN: A MOVE COULD IMPROVE • PAGE A8
“Now where they’re going, what’s the impact on traffic there, which is already a nightmare?” Lack of bus service to the Rona site would also be a consideration, Trawin said, as would be a study of other amenities in the area and the casino’s clientele. Council would also have to weigh the potential benefits of an expanded casino, as well as the potential loss of revenue if it relocated instead outside city limits. Provincial regulations dictate the host community of a casino receive 10 per cent of net income generated from gambling. “That money we get from other levels of government we used to beautify Lorne Street,” Trawin said. “Not tax money. We use tax money to repair things, fix things.” Though Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, owner of Lake City Casino, has not reached out to the T’kemlups Indian Band, Chief Shane Gottfriedson said it would be an “exciting opportunity” if the company was to consider a move to band land. X See PLANNED A5
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