The Mayor of Chatham-Kent is over the moon about a new casino coming to Chatham.
Mayor Randy Hope welcomes the new 'Cascades Casino’ to the northeast corner of Richmond St. and Keil Dr. and the additional community investment by Gateway Casinos after months of negotiating. Hope anticipates the larger casino will be an important economic force in our community by generating more revenue and employment.
"Growing our communities and our economies is important. Creating jobs and revitalizing Chatham-Kent has always been a priority of ours and continues to be," says Hope.
Mayor Hope feels bad for Dresden for losing its casino but says it was a business decision made by Gateway and the entire Chatham-Kent region will benefit from increased revenue and more economic spin-off.
Council still has to approve the site plan next to the Holiday Inn Express and the Bradley Convention Centre.
Hope says the casino location beat out three others in the running but won't say where they are.
"Its proximity and traffic flow. Let's face it they want people to come in and it is about traffic flow and how easy it is to get off the 401 and how it centralizes itself to a larger market opportunity than its previous location," the mayor says.
Hope is optimistic that the new casino will kick start more development and business in the area.
"I think it will help the hotel industries in the area and support and be part of a package that we promote the convention and conference centre and other things to actually spin and support more than just the casino but other industries in the area," says Hope.