A North Bay Casino one step closer to reality

It appears the possibility of a casino on the north end of the city near the North Bay Regional Health Centre is closer to becoming official.  

Last week, Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited announced that it has put in an offer to purchase some land off Eloy Road where a North Bay Casino would potentially be built.  

“We have an offer to purchase some land near the hospital and the developer who owns the land has put an application forward to have that parcel of land rezoned to accommodate gaming,” noted Rob Mitchell, a spokesperson for Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited.  

“We are waiting to have that shepherded through and it is with respective legal teams of the developer and Gateway, and that zoning application which the developer has taken on that responsibility is before council and our expectation is that it will be approved and that we will be able to make an announcement shortly that we have acquired land and will be starting construction on a new gaming and entertainment centre in North Bay.”  

The news of the offer virtually puts an end to the idea of a casino located on the south end of the city at the old Mo-ze location.  

See related: Developers say casino location north of the city is in the cards 

Mitchell believes the location makes sense. It would be right off of a highway and the parking space available would meet their criteria.   

“It is a good site for us, there are some other applications moving forward to develop that area,” noted Mitchell. 

“I think there are about nine other commercial lots out that way so it is an area of the city that is going to be developing very quickly which is good for us. It meets our requirements in terms of parking, and the right footprint to accommodate the kind of amenities that we want to bring to North Bay.”

The city has already had meetings regarding rezoning the former Nordfibre property to accommodate a casino.   

Mitchell says the whole process would take about two years once the shovels hit the ground.  

“We are seen very much as a welcome and giving corporate citizen,” Mitchell said about the way Gateway runs Casinos in western Canada.  

“We are going to be creating probably in excess of 200 new jobs within the North Bay community. We will be looking to find all kinds of opportunities for cross-promotion with other businesses and other activities and events in the in the city.   

“I think it’s good news for the community and ultimately we will be very well received.”