|
CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
July 28, 2003 | |
Author: |
Mario Lee | |
Phone No.: |
604-871-6034 | |
RTS No.: |
3556 | |
CC File No.: |
2633 | |
Meeting Date: |
July 29, 2003 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
Director of Social Planning |
SUBJECT: |
Consultation with Richmond on Relocation of Casino with Slots |
THAT Council instruct the City Clerk to communicate to the City of Richmond that the City of Vancouver has received a request to consider whether Vancouver will be materially affected by the relocation of a casino (with slots) within Richmond, and that Vancouver City Council will respond later in September, 2003, upon having received a report back from Vancouver City staff, and
FURTHER THAT Council request staff to report back on September 9, 2003, with a report analyzing whether Vancouver will be materially affected by the proposed relocation of a casino (with slots) in the City of Richmond.
The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of the above.
There is no Council policy related to casino relocations in other surrounding municipalities.
This report informs Council about a request from the City of Richmond to provide a response on whether the City of Vancouver will be materially affected by a proposed relocation of a casino (with slots) within Richmond. The report explains to Council that an appropriate response cannot be forthcoming until early in September, 2003.
The report also provides a summary of the specifics of the casino development of the Great Canadian Casino at Bridgepoint on River Road in North Richmond.
AND DISCUSSION
On July 21, 2003, the City of Richmond sent a letter to the City of Vancouver (attached as Appendix A), requesting whether Vancouver considers that it will be materially affected by a proposed relocation of a casino (with slots) within Richmond. The letter indicates that the Great Canadian Casino presently located at Number 3 Road, will be relocated to 881/883 River Road, the former Bridgepoint Market site. The request asks for a reply by August 31, 2003.
This request responds to a requirement in the Gaming Control Act. Section 19 (1)(b) of the Act specifically requires that a host municipality has to consult with "each municipality, regional district or first nation that is immediately adjacent or that the lottery corporation considers will be materially affected by the gaming facility or proposed gaming facility and its location, relocation or substantial change, as the case may be."
The provincial gaming regulations describe "materially affected" as meaning that an adjacent municipality "will incur significant new infrastructure or policing costs, experience increased traffic or experience a significant adverse impact on the amenities and character of one or more of its neighbourhoods." (Section 11, BC Gaming Control Regulations).
City staff will require some time prior to responding to Richmond's request, and it will not be able to provide an impact analysis prior to August 31, 2003. Furthermore, Vancouver City Council will not reconvene from the summer break until September 9, 2003, at which time staff will bring a report back to be presented to Council prior to informing the City of Richmond on any concerns.
The relocation of the Great Canadian Casino from Number 3 Road to Bridgepoint is part of the regional casino relocation plan being implemented by the BC Lottery Corporation. The City of Richmond approved this relocation on March 17, 2003, and it will accommodate a full service casino with table games and slot machines. The final number of slot machines will be decided by the BC Lottery Corporation in accordance with their estimate of market needs in the region. The proposed development also includes a 200 suite Hotel, food services, a 650-seat dinner theatre, a conference area, a fitness centre, and a marina (already existing). The site will also accommodate Great Canadian Casino's Head Office. As a result of this relocation, the Vancouver-based Great Canadian Casino at the Renaissance Hotel will cease operations.
City staff will report back to Council on September 9, 2003, analyzing any concerns related to the relocation of the Great Canadian Casino to Bridgepoint in North Richmond. In the meantime, the City of Richmond needs to be informed that Vancouver's response to their request for input will not be forthcoming until after September 9, 2003.
- - - - -
