Attachment 2. Letter from Andrea Nicholls, Greater Canadian Gaming Corporation, March 27, 2017
Letter of intent describing the expansion plans for the View Royal Casino, including increased gaming floor and new dining options.
March 27, 2017
ATTENTION: Lindsay Chase Director of Development Services Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, BC V9B 1A6
Dear Ms. Chase,
Re: Municipal Approval – Re: Application for a Structural Change to a Liquor Licence Applicant/Licensee: Great Canadian Casino – View Royal Location: 1708 Island Highway, Victoria BC
On behalf of View Royal Casino, please accept this as our Letter of Intent and Community Impact Statement. We are writing to advise that we have submitted a Structural Change to a Liquor Licence application with the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) and a request for revision to our Occupant Load. In accordance with the Liquor Branch and the Town’s requirements for Municipal Approval, we would like to submit the following information for consideration.
View Royal Casino is located at 1708 Island Highway and features 37,000 square feet of gaming space with 555 slot machines and 15 gaming tables, as well as 2 dining options.
View Royal Casino has a liquor primary licence to allow service from the main service bar to the gaming floor. The Company views alcohol service as an added amenity to our gaming clientele and has many safeguards in place to ensure that this requested change will not have a negative impact to the community. Not only do we adhere to the LCLB standards and policies & procedures we currently have in place, but we must also follow the strict measures set by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). These measures include pricing alcohol in a manner that will discourage overconsumption, drinks presented in single servings, and drinks withheld from guests appearing to be intoxicated. As this is a casino environment, access will not available to minors. To ensure minors do not gain entry, and do not purchase alcohol on site, it is our policy to check two pieces of identification for any person who appears to be under the age of 25 at the casino entrance points, and at the F&B outlets. In addition, Security Personnel are stationed at all access points to ensure liquor will not go beyond the boundaries. All employees that work in Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) facilities that provide liquor service in British Columbia are required to have their “Serving It Right” certification. These employees are required to comply with internal policies and procedures, as well as policies developed by BCLC.
The site is currently undergoing renovations and we are making changes to increase the square footage to 73,248 to increase the gaming floor, to add a new restaurant and lounge, a quick service restaurant, an entertainment area, a pre-function space, and offices.
Below is a brief summary of the changes:
Level 1:
- Demolition of existing restaurant and lounge
- Demolition of “Penny Lane” area
- Expansion of gaming floor to include VIP tables and VIP Slots room
- Renovation of existing space to match finishes of new space
- Creation of new a restaurant and lounge
- Creation of new quick service restaurant
- New kitchen to service both restaurants
- Additional offices
Level 2:
- Entertainment space with fold-down stage; open floor to allow for flexible seating configurations to be used for conferences or shows
- Sliding partition to separate entertainment venue and lounge
- Creation of new pre-function space
- Green room for performers
- Shell space to be developed for future expansion
Due to the increase in square footage, there will be change in occupant load. The current approved occupant load is 1147 persons, and we are requesting an approval for the new occupant load of 2552 persons.
Potential Positive Impact to the Community
Employment for Locals
The expansion will provide additional employment for locals and potential additional hours for current employees.
More Entertainment Options
The expansion will provide more entertainment and dining options for local residents and visitors/tourists to the area.
Increase to Revenues for Local Vendors
The expansion and addition of new dining options will create additional spending for local vendor services and entertainment.
Financial Benefits to the Community
The Province shares gaming revenue with local governments that host casinos and community gaming centres in British Columbia. From 1999 until March 2015, the Town of View Royal received over $55 million in gaming revenues, which funds municipal and charitable projects in the community. The expansion and increase in occupant load may result in more visitors to the site, which in turn may result in additional gaming revenues and economic benefits to the community.
Potential Negative Impact to the Community & Measures Taken to Reduce Impact
Noise in the Community
It is not expected that the expansion and increase in occupant load will result in any additional noise to the community as any measurable increase in noise is not anticipated to emit from the building, and the site is located in a commercial area with limited residential housing.
Demands on the RCMP
According to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s document “Backgrounder on Perceptions of Casinos and Crime” written in November 2016, “Casinos in B.C. have more security and surveillance than most banks or venues of a comparable size that attract large volumes of people.” It is not expected that the expansion and increase in occupant load will result in an increased amount of police resources being used as the site has its own Security Department. Pursuant to the Security Services Act and Regulations of British Columbia, our Gaming Security Officers are required to complete the Advanced Security Training courses through the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Impact on Traffic
It is not anticipated that the expansion and increase in occupant load will result in any additional traffic in the area, or have any effect on traffic flow. The site is situated in a high pedestrian and traffic area and there is easy access to the establishment from local roads and a highway. Because the establishment is already located in a high traffic area, it is not expected that there will be a further increase in traffic.
As requested, four (4) copies of the Architect stamped Occupant Load floor plans are enclosed, as well as a USB with digital copies, and a company cheque in the amount of $300 for processing fees.
We trust that the information provided will satisfy the Town’s requirements but should you require additional information, please feel free to contact me directly at (604) 303-6185.
We appreciate your review of this application and look forward to receipt of your decision.
Yours truly,
GREAT CANADIAN GAMING CORPORATION
Andrea Nicholls Coordinator, Corporate Security & Compliance
*enclosure
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