It has been over three years since the sale of RimRock Casino in Port Alberni, British Columbia, and finally, revenue from the transaction will have a recipient. The Alberni Valley Gaming Association, which owned the casino, has found an agreement to donate the proceeds to the Alberni Valley Community Foundation. The sum is approximately CA$1.25 million.
RimRock Casino is located at 4890 Cherry Creek Rd, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 8E9, and it offers 99 slot machines as well as an Electronic Fusion Blackjack that can accommodate five players at a time. Its slots collection features fan favourites such as Rich Girl, Lock It Link, and White Orchid, along with some new titles like Mystery Wilds, Buffalo, Wonder 4, Fiesta Loca and more.
Presenting the Cheque to the Foundation
In a special ceremony, members of the AVGA handed a cheque worth CA$1.25 million to Alberni Valley Community Foundation from the sale of the former Chances Rimrock Gaming Centre, Hugh Grist from the AVGF commented that the organization will receive funds from the sale of the casino will be distributed in the next four years.
Mr. Grist further shared that it is fitting that the association, which was established by several charities back in the day, with first the launch of a bingo hall and later a gaming revenue, will now be able to support many of those charity groups in perpetuity. Revenue from the casino supports various local groups, amenities and social causes throughout the community every year.
Created in 1988, AVGA has operated Dob City Bingo Hall in Port Alberni for quite a while its proceeds powered local non-profits and charities in the city. In September 2007, the association expanded by the addition of Chances Rimrock Gaming Centre. Then at the end of 2020, it sold the gaming site to Coulson Group of Companies, which rebranded it to RimRock Casino.
Currently, AVCF delivers grants to charities across the Alberni Valley and has been in business for a quarter of a century now. Now profits can apply for a grant before February 28, 2024, for the next year’s distribution. Via the endowment fund of AVCF, proceeds from the sale of the casino will continue to benefit charities in the region for many more years.
Finding Use of Forgotten Change and Slips
Over the years, RimRock Casino has also made numerous generous contributions to local communities. One of those dates to the summer of 2022, when the property organized an initiative to collect all forgotten change and slips from its patrons and put them to good use, as they were donated and shared between several charity organizations.
The casino gave away the money to the Abbeyfield House, the Salvation Army, and Kiwanis Hilton Children’s Centre. Abbeyfield House received the largest chunk of the contribution as it pocketed over CA$3,600. Meanwhile, the Kiwanis Hilton Children’s Centre has received CA$1,730 and the Salvation Army also received an undisclosed amount.
Source: “Revenue from sale of casino goes to Alberni Valley Community Foundation” Alberni Valley News, December 12, 2023
