The former Mayor of Belleville and current Bay of Quinte MP says the imminent arrival of a casino in the area is great news.
MP Neil Ellis had been trying to attract a gaming facility to the region for years during his time as mayor, but wasn’t able to see the project through because the process was so slow.
He tells Quinte News he there were a few reasons why things took so long.
When asked about the most difficult part of the process, Ellis told Quinte News, it was dealing with getting mixed-messages from some of the parties involved.
With an announcement set to come on where the new facility (to be managed by a new OLG partner, Great Canadian Gaming) will be built Ellis says the rumoured site on Bell Boulevard, not far from Baymount’s proposed location would be a great fit, mainly because of its proximity to the 401.
He says he’s already heard rumours about possible hotels and restaurants wanting to relocate and says the economic spinoff will be felt in other sectors than just hospitality, as well.
We also asked Ellis about dealing with the nay-sayers during the process, which he estimates accounted for about 30% of people who responded to city surveys or public meetings in recent years.
He says a gambling facility was likely to come to the area and Belleville might as well get the benefits of it, as well as the minor negative consequences.
Representatives from Great Canadian Gaming were in Belleville earlier this week looking at locations and we’re expecting to find out where “The Shorelines Casino Belleville” will be built, after Monday’s council meeting.
The Shorelines sign is already up at the Slots at Kawartha Downs, just south of Peterborough.
