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Vancouver city councillors vote to defeat casino
Vancouver city councillors vote to defeat casino
Councillors unanimously vote against biggest casino in western Canada
Dan Burritt/Dave White Apr 19, 2011 16:02:07 PM
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson says after 150 speakers and countless phone calls, a proposed new casino near BC Place is simply not right. "Enabling the largest casino in western Canada to locate in the downtown doesn't fit with our global brand as the world's most liveable city, as the green capital, as the hot bed for innovation for clean and digital technology," he explains.
Councillors Kerry Jang, George Chow, Heather Deal, Tim Stevenson, Geoff Meggs Andrea Reimer, and David Cadman spoke in favour of a motion to kill the proposal. Councillor Suzanne Anton says she's in favour of a smaller casino expansion.
The head of BC Lottery Corporation Michael Graydon, Pavco boss David Podmore, and Vancouver Police Department Deputy Chief Warren Lemcke were on hand to witness the debate. Pavco, which operates BC Place, has insisted it needs the casino to help offset the costs of the stadium's new roof.
http://www.bclc.com/
Robertson is proposing the casino be moved to another location. Podmore says they'll take some time to figure out their next moves.
"I think it's an example of the process we all expect that council would follow on a major development proposal such as this." Will they look at a new proposal? "I'm not going to answer that today. We need enough time to look at what has passed."
Scott Menke is president of Paragon Gaming, the company which wanted to move and expand the Edgewater Casino.
http://www.paragongaming.com/
"Certainly disappointed in today's outcome, but we stand committed to our employees and supporters in our efforts to find a permanent destination in the Lower Mainland."
Sandy Garossino with Vancouver Not Vegas is thrilled. "We didn't have any expectations coming in. We've been hearing rumours, but the only thing that really counts is what happens in the council room."
http://vancouvernotvegas.ca
The $500 million proposal involved a casino and hotel tower next door to a renovated BC Place. It would have dwarfed the existing nearby Edgewater Casino.
http://www.edgewatercasino.ca/
Those for the plan said it would create thousands of jobs and pump millions into the local economy. They also pointed to the $275 million that would pour in as extra revenue for city.
Vancouver had held several public hearings over the last few weeks. |
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發表於 2011-4-19 18:29
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