Vancouver public hearing on B.C. Place casino pushed back to March

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      A public hearing on a proposal to build a $450-million casino complex next to B.C. Place is now scheduled to take place in March.

      The start of the hearing before Vancouver city council was originally scheduled for February 17 but was then postponed to February 21.

      City of Vancouver meeting coordinator Nicole Ludwig has sent an e-mail to prospective speakers informing them about the latest change.

      The e-mail states:

      Thank you for your request to speak to Vancouver City Council re: 777 Pacific Boulevard (Hotel/Entertainment/Casino Complex) which was scheduled at February 17, 2011 public hearing. The public hearing is scheduled to reconvene on February 21, 2011 at 7:30 pm.

      The item regarding 777 Pacific Boulevard is the sixth item on the agenda for that public hearing. As there are still a number of speakers that have not been heard on three other remaining items, Council will not be able to hear speakers on 777 Pacific Boulevard on February 21. The public hearing will continue for 777 Pacific Boulevard on March 07, 2011 at 7:30 pm, and speakers will be heard at that time.

      There is no need to re-register for the new date, as you will automatically be registered. If the new date is not convenient for you, you may also choose to write the Mayor and Council with your comments at mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca

      Announced by Premier Gordon Campbell in March 2010, the proposal would see the Edgewater Casino, operated by Paragon Gaming, move from the Plaza of Nations to a 680,000-square-foot entertainment complex adjacent to B.C. Place.

      The complex would feature two hotels and up to 1,500 slot machines and 150 gambling tables.

      B.C. Pavilion Corporation is applying to rezone the B.C. Place site to permit the development of the complex.

      An online petition against the casino proposal has garnered more than 1,600 signatures.

      You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.

      Comments

      8 Comments

      Gam

      Feb 20, 2011 at 8:10pm

      Does anyone realize that 150 gambling tables is a TINY amount?

      Dan Clay

      Feb 20, 2011 at 8:14pm

      if the hearing date is pushed back,and if it has to wait until Nov civic election.. does that thwart any plans or hidden promises to the casino co.. made by an x premier of BC?

      Mr. Blow Joe

      Feb 21, 2011 at 12:13am

      This city is boring, they should build the casino and bring more entertainment to this city. And I don't gamble.

      Sandy Garossino

      Feb 21, 2011 at 12:42am

      The wheels seem to be coming off this "done deal".

      David L.

      Feb 21, 2011 at 11:32am

      Guess what , by the time they actually get around to a Public hearing it will be too late as the "Deal" will have been done ,get ready for it

      Urban_Citizen

      Feb 22, 2011 at 4:04pm

      Why does this Council seem to have so much difficulty scheduling meetings and hearings in a manner that allows the public to share their opinions? If the scheduling is done correctly, there should be no reason to publish corrections. The comment that the "item regarding 777 Pacific Boulevard is the sixth item on the agenda for that public hearing" is a telling one. Was it really sensible to include such a large project as Item number 6 on the hearing agenda? This type of approach, along with "last minute" agenda additions causes the public to question the transparency of this administration and contributes to a climate of mis-trust regarding the development review process at Vancouver City Hall.