Gambling operator Great Canadian Gaming Corporation will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its Belleville casino on Wednesday, April 27. The corporation was granted the exclusive right to manage all gambling operations in the East Gaming Bundle of the Canadian province of Ontario.
Chuck Keeling, Vice President, Stakeholder Relations and Responsible Gaming at Great Canadian Gaming, said that it will be “purely ceremonial” as construction work on the casino has already commenced. Mr. Keeling also said that they still aim to complete and launch the gaming facility in the first quarter of 2017.
The official revealed that excavation and form work for the building’s footings is well underway and that concrete has been poured for some of the footings.
Mr. Keeling also provided local media with information about initial bid packages currently being distributed. The official said that they prefer tendering the project sequentially to doing that all at once. Bid packages for the building are set to be tendered in the weeks to come. Quinte Construction Association, the local construction firm that works on the project, has also been informed about the tendering that is to take place. Mr. Keeling explained that they have all agreed that they should do their best to maximize opportunities for vendors from the region.
Great Canadian Gaming has already showed concept drawings for the new casino. It would spread over 48,000 square feet, with the building sporting floor-to-ceiling windows and metal facade. The gambling venue is expected to draw up to 1,000 visitors at its prime. About 700 of them will be able to fit comfortably on the casino floor.
Speaking of the gaming floor, it will feature about 400 slot machines and between 20 and 22 gaming tables. Apart from casino gaming options, the facility will also offer a restaurant, live entertainment space with room for up to 250 people, bar and lounge, and many more.
The approximate amount of C$41 million is to be invested in the Belleville casino’s construction. Once completed, the venue is expected to employ up to 300 people. Under its agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the casino will contribute 5.25% of the first C$65 million generated by the facility’s electronic games to the host community. The city of Belleville will also receive a 4% share of the table game income.
