The conversation regarding the proposed casino venue in Delta is still in its initial discussion phase, but locals have already expressed their concerns regarding its future impact. Construction of Cascades Casino Delta is going to see the demolition of the current tennis location in town and the tennis community in Delta now demands a new tennis facility to be built by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment.

The casino venue that could make its way to Delta as part of the casino operator’s expansion across British Columbia might have a more serious impact on the local community than initially projected. According to the plans that have been issued up until now, the gaming facility is going to be constructed in the area of Delta Town & Country Inn’s building and the tennis bubble, that has become a signature building for Delta.

Casino Facility Would Remove Indoor Tennis Venue

Mid-January the City granted a demolition permit for the inn to be razed to the ground in order to clear space for the future casino facility. So far the project has been going according to the previously discussed schedule, so the demolition at the junction of highways 17A and 99 is going to take place in the foreseeable future. Along with it, however, Delta’s popular tennis bubble would also be nixed, a fact that stirred the pot.

The indoor tennis facility raised the question about a year ago and back then, Delta Parks, Recreation, and Culture Commission stated that all businesses that would be impacted by the construction would receive the same fair opportunity for development. The private management of said indoor tennis venue was advised back then that a cost-sharing agreement might be suitable for this situation.

This indoor feature of the venue is crucial for the sports practiced in Delta and tennis enthusiasts among other residents eye the possibility of a new one. The local tennis community wants to see action from the casino operator that would make its way to the town, as well as confirmation that Gateway Casinos cares about the community it enters. It is a situation that should be navigated in a mutually beneficial manner.

CA$70-Million Project Could Become a Cashless One

Last summer Councilor Jeannie Kanakos introduced a special motion that sought city support for this construction project. Back then the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Commission had plans for a CA$7.5-million sports facility that could welcome tennis and other sports in an indoor space available year-round. Since then Gateway Casinos have expressed their position on the subject, saying that the casino operator should not be held responsible for the demolition and the impact it would have.

Gateway Casinos’ Chief Accounting Officer Jag Nijjar stated that in this sense, the casino operator should not be blamed for it, or be held accountable for the construction of a new indoor sports facility. Now that the project moves forward according to schedule, the conversation between Parks, Recreation, and Culture Director Ken Kuntz and tennis clubs serving North Delta, Ladner and Tsawwassen would have to continue.

The CA$70-million casino complex is projected to launch operation in 2020 with extensive preparation prior to it. Recent discussions began exploring the opportunity of it becoming a cashless gambling facility, as to avoid a money-laundering threat. Evaluation of the proposal is in progress both on a local level and with organized trips to Ottawa, where Mayor George Harvie showcased the benefits of a casino venue that does not accept cash payments on site.