A number of BayToday readers have noticed that work is going on at the new Cascades Casino on Pinewood Park Drive, despite the project being put on hold because of COVID.
"It's protective cladding to help the site weather the winter months," Rob Mitchell, Director, Communications told BayToday."It's going in place as a protective measure."
The concrete floor has been poured, but additional work has been stalled while pandemic restrictions remain in place.
Although most work has stalled, Mitchell has said previously that Gateway Casinos is committed to finishing and operating the project in North Bay.
"We have no plans to cancel our North Bay project," Mitchell said last month. "However, under the present circumstances, it is difficult to forecast when our development projects, like North Bay, can resume until we better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our existing operations.
See: 'No plans to cancel our North Bay project' says Gateway Casinos
And: New casino delayed. No date for construction to start
Meanwhile, Mitchell clarified the status of Casino Rama, a popular destination for North Bay area residents.
Chief Ted Williams and the Rama First Nation COVID-19 Task Force members reviewed the Health and Safety Plan to ensure the safety of the community, employees, and guests.
"We are happy that they have reviewed Gateway's Health and safety protocols for re-opening under the current government criteria and given their endorsement for Gateway to re-open Rama under those restrictions, which include a customer capacity of 50 patrons, no live table games and the mandatory use of face masks.
"However, there are still a number of steps Gateway must go through before we can determine a date for re-opening. When those details are established, including a confirmed opening date, a formal re-opening announcement will be issued by Gateway."
