Casino by Vanshaw relocation still moving forward

The owner of Casino by Vanshaw appears to be putting pieces in place to move locations, though Alberta gaming officials say no final decision has been made on a proposed licensing change.

A high-profile rental dispute between the casino and the Medicine Hat Lodge is currently before the courts.

In June, casino owner Kevin VanDerKooy, applied to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to move the operation to the Southside Events Centre on Strachan Court.

The same month a City of Medicine Hat business licence was issued suggesting that Vanshaw had taken over ownership of Squires Gastro Pub, located at the proposed location.

A development permit to change the centre’s hall from meeting space to a gaming establishment was included in a recent summary from the city’s planning department.

Casino officials did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on Tuesday.

Neither bear any weight on the AGLC process, in which public consultations closed in mid-June.

AGLC officials say that no decision has been made on the application, nor is there a timeline.

The Casino was closed for several days in January after landlord, the Medicine Hat Lodge, won a court ruling stating that back rent was owed on the lounge portion of the casino. Food and drink operations had been handed over to the Lodge by Vanshaw in exchange for debt forgiveness and a portion of profits.

The judge in that matter encouraged both parties to come to a settlement.

The Lodge has publicly stated its opposition to the relocation application, saying the casino should honour its lease that runs through 2020.