A public hearing on the proposed relocation and expansion of Edgewater Casino concluded today (April 10) with a last-minute option extended by the project's applicant, the B.C. Pavilion Corporation.

After hearing from 145 speakers over five days, including meetings throughout the weekend, city councillors heard a proposed third course of action aside from approving or rejecting the casino complex.

During a closing statement, PavCo chair David Podmore told council the applicant would be willing to reduce the proposed increase in slot machines from 1,500 to 1,200, with an opportunity for Paragon to apply to extend the number of slots in two years.

“That is an option...we would certainly be happy to work with the city, and I know Paragon is also happy to work with the city if that helps to a certain extent,” he said.

But the gesture was greeted with criticism from the spokesperson of a coalition of residents opposed to the casino expansion.

Sandy Garossino of Vancouver, Not Vegas said she doesn’t think the offer will make any difference to the project's opponents.

“It’s still 2.6 acres of casino floor,” she told the Straight by phone. “That is a massive casino floor right in the heart of downtown in the most densely populated residential neighbourhood in B.C.”

“This is not an appropriate site, it is not an appropriate size, it is not an appropriate project for the nature of our city,” she added.

Garossino argued the public should have been notified of all the options being considered by PavCo at the outset of the hearing.

“If PavCo and Paragon wanted to put that before city council, they should have done that as the outset, not as a surprise move at the end,” she said.

Podmore said the move was “a respectful response to the public hearing process.”

“We’ve been through this, we’ve listened, it’s one of the big concerns was the extent of the expansion,” he told reporters.

The PavCo chair told councillors a reduced expansion of 1,200 slot machines could mean a phased-in construction of one of the hotels proposed as part of the complex.

The proposed development would involve the relocation of Edgewater Casino at its current location at the Plaza of Nations to a site adjacent to B.C. Place. If approved, the $500-million casino-hotel complex would be the largest in Western Canada.

Edgewater Casino is currently permitted up to 600 slot machines and 150 gaming tables.

Garossino argued if council approves an initial 1,200 slots, as suggested by PavCo, it would be the “thin edge of the wedge” for further expansion.

“We may as well just make the decision now,” she said. “In two years they’re going to come back and they’re going to ask for exactly the same thing, and how’s council going to say no in two years? Obviously if they say yes today, they will say yes in two years to the full.”

During the five days of the public hearing, which began on March 7, city council heard from 145 speakers, 58 of which were in favour of the proposal, 83 were against, and four offered no opinion.

City council received 1,027 letters in support of the plan, 719 in opposition and 103 that were neutral.

Supporters included the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, the Downtown Business Improvement Association, several unions, and current Edgewater Casino employees, many of whom wore yellow “Save Our Jobs” t-shirts to city hall.

Council heard concerns that the current location of the casino will close down if the proposed relocation and expansion is not approved.

Among the opponents of the proposal were members of the Vancouver, Not Vegas coalition, which includes a list of residents' associations, arts groups, local academics, architects, judges, lawyers, religious leaders, and other residents.

Opponents have cited concerns about issues including the potential for increased gambling addiction, impacts on the community, and crime.

Council has also heard from public health officer John Carsley, who recommended council reject the proposal as a precautionary approach to avoid any potential increase in problem gambling.

On Sunday, some of the casino critics included Vancouver artist Ken Lum, who said he is strongly opposed to the Edgewater proposal. He recounted a negative experience of gambling addiction in his family.

"I've seen first hand what happens when someone very close to you is an addicted gambler," he said. "Growing up, it was disastrous for my siblings, my extended family and so on."

Supporters during the final day included Bernie Magnan, who spoke on behalf of the Vancouver Board of Trade.

"The Vancouver Board of Trade fully endorses Paragon's proposed entertainment complex with all its incumbent benefits in investment, local employment and positive economic impact," he told council.

Council has now concluded hearing from speakers, but will meet to deliberate the proposal on Tuesday, April 19.