Gateway Casino North Bay Ontario

Ontario Construction Report staff writer

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Construction has either wrapped up or is about to wrap up on casinos in Pickering, Sarnia and North Bay.

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The proposed new entertainment and casino complex in North Bay is the latest announcement by Gateway following the news this month of the completion of an $18 million renovation and rebranding of. Gateway Gives Gateway Casinos & Entertainment has the privilege of operating in cities and towns across Canada. As a company, we gain so much from each of these communities and believe it is our responsibility to give back, pitch in and provide support to those causes that matter most to our neighbours.

Future of larger Sudbury casino in doubt. While it has yet to confirm a location, Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited plans to open a casino in North Bay in the first quarter of 2020.

The first phase of the Pickering Casino Resort, from One Toronto Gaming, is set to open soon, featuring a range of gaming and dining options. The second phase of the resort promises entertainment and hotel choices. Once complete, the development will employ more than 2,000 as part of the casino resort’s team.

Meanwhile, in Sarnia Gateway Casino & Entertainment Ltd. announced recently that Gateway Casinos Sarnia was officially opened, with 150 new slots and the creation of more than 60 new jobs in the community.

And in North Bay, Cascade North Bay, a casino also from Gateway, is expected to open in the summer. Last May Gateway detailed how it would spend about $31 million to build the new casino, creating 300 new jobs in North Bay. When completed, it will span more than 39,000 square feet, featuring 300 slots and eight live table games.

“Gateway is delighted to be coming to the City of North Bay. We are proud to be one more reason to make this city your entertainment destination. This is the first time Gateway has put shovels in the ground in northern Ontario and we are very excited to be offering the citizens of North Bay a new and exciting entertainment and dining experience in their city,” Carrie Kormos, chief marketing and communications officer for Gateway Ontario, said last May.

The $31 million investment “will not only create 300 new jobs in North Bay, but will also provide millions in economic spin-offs throughout construction and with locally sourced goods and services when completed.”

The Sarnia casino spans 53,100 sq. ft., and features a 22,033-sq. ft. gaming floor. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Bruce MacKenzie was among the dignitaries offering congratulations.

“OLG congratulates Gateway on the grand opening of its casino in Sarnia,” said MacKenzie, OLG vice-president of land based gaming. “Investing in this gaming site and in the community will help ensure the best possible gaming experience for customers, increase awareness of the local horse racing industry and allow OLG to continue to deliver benefits to the people and Province of Ontario.”

Sarnia’s mayor Mike Bradley spoke for the community. “We are delighted to see the return of slots to Hiawatha Horse Park. We welcome the jobs and synergy with the horse racing industry. Good luck to everyone who visits Hiawatha Slots,” he said.

The construction of the Pickering casino began last year, and when open patrons will have more than 2,000 slot machines, 100 live table games, and 167 live dealer stadium gaming terminals to choose from. Phase two will include a 2,500-seat theatre for year-round concerts, dance, live performances, and more. The hotel will have 275 guest rooms.

It's been quiet, but things are moving along in the background as Gateway Casinos continues to plan for its North Bay location on Pinewood Park Drive.

A source close to City Hall tells BayToday that Gateway has already submitted extensive plans to the city for a 20 to $24 million facility covering a seven-acre parcel of land bordered by Pinewood Park Drive, Highway 11 and the PetroCanada station.

'We don't have a signed purchase agreement or sale as yet for any property in North Bay so I can't make any announcement or confirm any details at this time, ' Gateway spokesman Rob Mitchell told BayToday.

He says he's not aware that Gateway has prepared an application for a building permit.

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'I wouldn't be surprised. That would be pro forma because we are going to build something but I'm not aware of a building permit application gone forward at this point in time.'

Mitchell says he has no confirmation as yet for when a construction date will be.

'I know negotiations continue for the site in North Bay but I can't confirm anything. I understand it's still with the legal team.'

In September, Gateway announced it has abandoned efforts to buy land across from the North Bay Regional Hospital.

See: Casino rolls Snake Eyes with Highway 17 location

Gateway Casino Thunder Bay

The Pinewood location is expected to be more than just a few tables and slot machines.

See: New casino expected to be a regional draw with food and entertainment

Gateway Casino North Bay Ontario Canada

'We do believe in creating an entertainment experience whether you're a gambler or not and we try to create a number of compelling reasons for folks to come in and have a great meal or enjoy some entertainment,' Carrie Kormos, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications told BayToday in 2016.

Kormos said Gateway had already done some research and looked at market capacity with competing facilities in Sudbury and Orillia, but will be doing more with local stakeholders to 'really understand the market and scope out what we think would be the best fit in terms of the size and scale of the amenities for the community of North Bay'.

BayToday has also learned that the property immediately to the south of the casino land has been bought by a Toronto developer, however, details on that project were not immediately available.