Shovels were tossed aside and the big guns were brought out Thursday morning as Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope hopped into the drivers seat of a backhoe to break ground on the new casino coming to town.
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited officials were joined by municipal administration, construction workers, and community members for the ceremony at 615 Richmond St.
It will be the first new build for Gateway in the province and CEO Tony Santo said the casino will created 200 jobs on top of construction work and the 100 existing jobs at the Dresden facility.
"Dresden jobs will come over, but we look at it being approximately 300 people including the food and beverage to operate," Santo said.
The CEO added he heard concerns from residents about the focus on gambling as the main form of entertainment and said Gateway is making the facility as family-friendly as possible. Santo said the two restaurants will not have age restrictions and will be separate from the casino floor. He added there will be live music and assured the public that people will not have to gamble when they visit.
Santo promised the 45,280 sq ft casino will provide more revenue for the municipality than the Dresden one does and doesn't think there will be any problems competing against Caesars Windsor.
"[Windsor] is really more of a destination casino where we considering this more of a local casino," Santo said. "Obviously if anyone travelling from Windsor or [across the] border wants to stop by and gamble or eat they are certainly welcome, but this is really a local entertainment place for this community."
Hope said the fact it is a new facility in a central area will allow it to flourish.
"If you go to Caesars all the time it is going to be Caesars all the time," Hope said. "But this is one hour away whether you're from Sarnia, London or Windsor. We are kind of enticing people because people aren't just coming for the gaming it is to see what the attractions are. Where else can you go where you have a lake 20 minutes in one direction and another on the other side?"
Hope added building the casino is just the beginning and said the facility should bring in more food and entertainment-related business.
Construction is estimated at $36-million and Santo said it should be done in August next year and after staff is trained, he is looking at opening the doors the following September.
The CEO added the casino floor will feature 333 slots and 12 table games along with Gateway's signature restaurants MATCH Eatery & Public House and The Buffet.
Santo said the Dresden casino will operate as normal until the Chatham facility is completed.