New casino applying for 2 liquor licences
More than 2,000 patrons will be permitted in the new Cascades Casino and attached Match Eatery, according to a report prepared for city council meeting today, when a request for liquor licences will be discussed.
Parent company Gateway Casinos and Entertainment is seeking two licences for the new facility near the South Okanagan Events Centre: one to cover up to 1,551 gamblers on the casino floor and patio, and another for 782 guests on two floors and patio of Match Eatery.
Both the gaming floor and restaurant will be open Sunday through Thursday until 2 a.m., and until 2:30 a.m. on weekends.
Council must give its blessing before the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch will consider the applications.
According to a staff report to council, concerns it must take into account include noise and impact on the community.
Staff is proposing it notify neighbours within 100 metres of the casino to get feedback on the applications, before returning to council with a recommendation at its March 21 meeting.
Council is also expected today to give its blessing to begin the process of annexing about 130 hectares in the Upper Wiltse area into the city. The block currently lies within the Regional District of OkanaganSimilkameen.
It’s attached to a similar-sized plot within city limits that has been identified by Wiltse Holdings as the site of a proposed residential development, and was incorporated into the Official Community Plan in 2014.
“At build-out, between the two development blocks, an approximate 800 to 850 new residential units are proposed, servicing an estimated population of 1,600 persons,” a city staff report notes.
It goes on to explain there is no existing process in place for staff to rely on for the proposed annexation, although provincial law sets out many requirements, including approval of the electorate.
Also on today’s agenda is first three readings of the 2017 budget, which includes a 4.36 per cent tax increase, although council won’t decide until April on rates for different property classes.
Finally, council is expected to authorize staff to reapply to the province for a licence on the foreshore at Sudbury Beach. The city’s current 30-year lease expires on June 30.
“If the city does not renew, the province could offer to another party such as a private operator or the Penticton Indian Band,” notes a staff report, which adds that nearby Crown land at Sudbury beach that was previously under control of the city was signed over to the PIB several years ago.
The meeting begins at 1 p.m. in council chambers and is open to the public.
Council will reconvene at 6 p.m. for public hearings and to consider variances for 4000 Valleyview Rd., 850 Wiltse Dr., 3984 Finnerty Rd. and 4047 Lakeside Rd.