This Tuesday, one of the largest gaming company in Canada, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited (Gateway), announced that the operator has made a conditional offer to buy a plot of land across from the North Bay Regional Health Centre. The property is Gateway’s preferred site for the construction of its gambling facility in North Bay.
Last year, it was reported that the owner of the former Nordfibre property on Eloy Road, and more precisely Orsi family, have started to seek rezoning for the construction of a premier casino. The owner has also submitted a draft plan that includes a subdivision of the plot of land into six commercial areas.
Last year, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has signed a 20-year Casino Operating and Services Agreement (COSA) with Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited (Gateway). Under the agreement, Gateway assumed control over the day-to-day operations and the assets of the North Gaming Bundle.
The gambling company has been given the green light to build two new gaming and entertainment facilities in Kenora area and North Bay. Gateway did not waste any time to look for a proper place to build its new entertainment facilities.
Gateway Sticks to Preferred Site for North Bay Casino
Last November, the company revealed that it is interested in the former Nordfibre location across from the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Highway 17 West. Rob Mitchell, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment spokesman, commented that Gateway does not have a signed agreement of purchase at that moment, but the fact that the owner requested a re-zoning change of the Nordfibre property could be interpreted as the first step securing the preferred location for Gateway’s casino venture.
Mitchell added that the company is interested in that particular plot of land due to its strategic location, close to a major highway. In addition to that, there is enough space for parking, which is also an important aspect when choosing a site of interest. The gambling operator shared its hopes to open the gambling venue by 2020. Gateway refrained from setting a deadline as there are multiple factors which could change the plans.
Mitchell explained that the gambling company is really close to signing an agreement of purchase. He added that once Gateway secures a location for the construction of its gambling facility in North Bay, the company will be able to provide more details regarding the branding and the amenities that the new gambling property is to include.
The zoning change for the former Nordfibre site is expected to go through a hard patch due to a strong opposition from a local group called No Casino North Bay. The members of the group are trying to convince officials that a small city such as North Bay is not an appropriate place for hosting a casino.
