Recently, the Town of Gananoque and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands hosted an invitation-only garden party in Town Hall Square, Gananoque to thank the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation for its funding. The special event took place on September 13, 2023, and its aim was to thank the Crown for its annual financial help to the two communities.
Every year OLG shares a percentage of its gambling revenue with communities which are hosts to its gaming locations across Ontario. The two municipalities are currently benefiting from being host to the Crown’s Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands located at 380 ON-2, Gananoque, ON K7G 2V4. The casino is owned by OLG but it is operated by Great Canadian Entertainment.
Expressing Gratitude
For this year, OLG has provided CA$1,145,047 each to a total of CA$2,290,094. The funds will be used to support local programs and projects. The special appreciation garden party was hosted at Gananoque’s Town Hall Square on September 13, 2023. It was catered by Wendy’s Country Market and included a wide selection of foods from the local area.
At the event, Town Crier Brian Mabee commented that the two communities want to celebrate the continued contributions from OLG and Great Canadian Entertainment to both the Town of Gananoque and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. He explained that the gambling revenue helps the municipalities with the bills and the communities are thankful for it.
Furthermore, Mr. Mabee said that as the fiscal dollars must stretch, the monetary contribution is once again of help to both communities to meet the expanding needs to support current and future endeavours. The event featured various guests including local officials, MPPs, representatives of the OLG, and ones from nearby community groups and programs.
Some of the speakers from the party include MP Michael Barrett, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes; MPP Steve Clark, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes; Gananoque Mayor John Beddows; TLTI Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke; and Kathleen Devin, Senior Municipal Relations Manager at the OLG. Representatives of the Gananoque Skating Club, The Gananoque Royals, the Rotary Club, the Thousand Islands Association and more were also present.
Casino Money Proves Vital for Communities
Over the years, funds delivered from OLG’s gambling operations have funded some important projects across Ontario communities and continue to do so to this day. For instance, over CA$1.6 million from Shorelines Casino Peterborough was used for the new Quaker Foods City Square in downtown Peterborough, splash pads, as well as the city’s trails and cycling projects.
In the meantime, Playtime Casino Wasaga Beach, which is another gaming amenity in Ontario, will aid with the creation of a new community health centre and after-hours clinic. The much-needed facilities will come with a fully equipped, turnkey, medical office. Additionally, a plan to operate the new medical facility is being developed with the Georgian Bay Family Health Organization.
Source: Payette, Lorraine “OLG Appreciation Garden Party at Town Hall Park – Gananoque” Gananoque Reporter, September 18, 2023
