91原创 City council has narrowly approved the closure of the Summit Theatre at the Cascades casino and its conversion to a bingo hall.
Some members of council complained that Cascades owner, Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd., should have given the municipality more notice about its proposal to close the theatre and make changes to the convention centre to better accommodate live concerts and other events.
At the April 9 regular meeting of council, Coun. Gayle Martin said the convention centre is owned by the City and managed by the casino operator, who should have given the municipality advance notice of the changes.
鈥淲e were never consulted prior to any of this happening,鈥� Martin said.
鈥淚鈥檓 disappointed in the way this was brought forward,鈥� she added.
Mayor Ted Schaffer said it was clear the Township bingo licence would be moving to the Cascades in the City, and postponing the decision to have further discussions with the operator would only mean a 鈥渕ajor delay to the bingo-playing group out there.鈥�
鈥淭here would be huge delays, I believe, and those delays could probably be a couple of months,鈥� Schaffer said.
The vote on the resolution, that 鈥淐ity Council support the proposed 鈥榮ubstantial change鈥� of relocating Playtime 91原创 Bingo to the Cascades Casino鈥� passed in a 4-3 vote, with Councillors Martin, Paul Albrecht and Nathan Pachal opposed.
The alterations to the convention centre are expected to create a larger live performance space that will allow for up to 600 guests, according to a project overview report. The Summit Theatre had room for 420.
Renovations are to include the addition of a stage riser and modification of the ceiling structure to allow for retractable sound and lighting.
Gateway said the former Summit Theatre was 鈥渕oderately successful,鈥� but was limited due to its size, which restricted the economies of scale for popular available acts, and the 19 and older age requirement for guests.
The new entertainment area is located outside the casino, meaning family friendly shows can be accommodated.
The move of the bingo hall represented a potential $100,000 a year loss for 91原创鈥� Gateway of Hope homeless shelter.
When the Playtime Gaming mini-casino and bingo hall at 19664 64 Ave. was operating in 91原创 Township, it shared a percentage of its gaming revenue with the municipality, money that was used to help fund the 91原创 City shelter.
That changed when Gateway Ltd., the operator of the Cascades Casino Hotel and Convention Centre in 91原创 City, acquired Playtime in December 2015.
At the time, Playtime was mostly devoted to bingo, with a mini-casino featuring a small number of slot machines on its second floor.
After the purchase, the new owner closed the mini-casino, then announced plans to relocate bingo to the Cascades, where it intended to close the Summit Theatre at the Cascades and convert that space into a bingo hall.
The end to the revenue-sharing agreement with the Township could have meant a $100,000 loss for the Gateway of Hope shelter if Township council had not agreed to cover the difference in its 2018 budget.
鈥淭he Gateway of Hope provides a very important service to the entire community,鈥� Township of 91原创 Mayor Jack Froese said in response to a Times query.
鈥淭ownship council felt it was important to continue providing the Gateway with the financial support they rely on to give food, shelter, and assistance to those most in need in 91原创.鈥�
The casino operator has said moving the bingo facility had been their plan since they acquired it in 2015, and they were unable to find a suitable location within the Township.
鈥淪lot-playing bingo patrons will have access to Cascades Casinos鈥� exciting slot floor during bingo sessions, and all bingo patrons will have access to greater food and beverage offerings and options,鈥� a project overview stated.
Cascades was expected to begin work later this year on a major renovation that will add two more restaurants and more space for gaming and special events to the 91原创 City facility.
The 23,000 square foot, two-storey addition will be built on the south side of the casino where it faces Fraser Highway, in the location where taxis and motorcycles currently park.
Plans call for an upscale 鈥淎tlas鈥� steak and seafood restaurant, with a smaller casual 鈥淐how鈥� dining spot, along with an additional gaming area and washrooms on the ground floor.
A roof patio and special occasion area will go upstairs.
dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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