High rollers and theatre goers will soon have a place to stay when they visit the Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam.
After a public hearing Monday, city council voted 7-2 in favour of Great Canadian Casino's proposal to build a hotel on United Boulevard, citing its job, tourism and economic development spin-offs.
Council is expected to give fourth and final reading to the zoning text amendment bylaw at its regular meeting next month.
Ron Little, co-owner of the Best Western Coquitlam Inn Convention Centre, was the sole opponent to the project to appear at the hearing, telling Coquitlam council he is concerned about the impact the casino hotel would have on his business, especially during an economic downturn.
"If the city were to allow this, they would be contributing to an uneven playing field in that the casino could subsidize a lower room-rate structure from casino income," Little said. He also called for the city to hold a referendum on the issue.
While councillors were sympathetic to Little's plight, some said his hotel and others will likely see a hike in business from the casino hotel opening.
"This hotel is a destination and certainly I don't think this complex is going to be taking away from other areas of Coquitlam," Coun Doug Macdonell said.
Coun. Lou Sekora, who opposed the application along with Coun. Neal Nicholson, also warned if the 11-storey hotel is built, it would jeopardize the city's chances of securing a hotel for the City Centre, where Town Centre Park is located with its many athletic facilities. Council recently adopted an events tourism strategy to attract out-of-town guests to Coquitlam to host sports tournaments and multicultural activities.
Nicholson said he voted against the casino hotel because he's not in favour of gambling and any related amenities.
The Boulevard proposal says 236 permanent jobs will be created at the 181-room hotel, conference centre and spa adjoining the current casino and Red Robinson Show Theatre.
According to the city's 2010 annual report, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. was the third largest taxpayer in Coquitlam, contributing $1.5 million to city coffers.
As well as municipal taxes, under provincial legislation, the company hands over 10% of its net profits to cities where casinos are located. Since the Boulevard Casino opened, Coquitlam has collected more than $77 million through the Ministry of Solicitor General; the city puts 12.5% of that money into a fund for local non-profit groups, with the remainder spent on major capital works.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
