Canadian gambling and entertainment operator Gateway Casinos and Entertainment held on Friday a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest casino property, which is to be built in Penticton, British Columbia.
The new gambling venue will be part of South Okanagan Events Centre, where the groundbreaking ceremony was actually held yesterday. Apart from slot machines and table games, the new property will also feature a number of food and beverage, and live entertainment options. A rooftop patio and various restaurants will be among the facilities featured as part of the new casino.
Commenting on the construction of their latest venue, Tony Santo, CEO of Gateway Casinos, said that the South Okanagan Events Centre is the best possible home for the new casino. Construction of the venue is expected to continue through 2016 and it is to open doors in the spring of 2017.
More than 400 employees are to work on the casino’s construction. The whole project is to cost Gateway Casinos the total amount of C$25 million. Once completed, Cascades Casino, as the facility is to be called, will create 150 permanent jobs for city residents.
When asked about his comments on the major development project, Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said that Gateway Casinos has long been providing its services to members of their community and that its latest investment would certainly grow Penticton’s funding, would create new jobs, and would enhance the city’s vision for the whole South Okanagan Events Centre to turn into a popular entertainment destination.
MLA Dan Ashton commented that the construction of the new casino is yet another indication of the development work going on in and around the city. Mr. Ashton further noted that new developments mean new taxpayers and new opportunities for Penticton.
Currently, Gateway Casinos manages 18 gambling venues across British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta. Overall, these feature over 200 gaming tables with some of the world’s most popular table games, more than 6,000 slot machines, and various other entertainment, accommodation, and food and beverage options. The company employs about 3,800 people at its properties.
