Callander casino "best bang" for North Bay: Boldt

North Bay will get the “best bang” by supporting a Callander casino bid, Coun. Maureen Boldt says.

Boldt will bring a resolution forward at Monday night’s meeting, calling for council to back a casino proposal being put together by local businessman Ted Abraham.

“It will be the best bang for us because Ted Abraham has indicated Callander guarantees North Bay a share of the five per cent gross revenues that will come to the area, but we have to get on board first,” Boldt said.

“And so far there has been no proposal for a North Bay casino that’s come forward to council.”

Best of the situation
A casino in Callander, Boldt said, will create a destination tourism attraction for the region, “one that we sorely need.

Boldt acknowledges bringing a casino to the area could also bring social problems normally associated with gambling.

“That is a concern, but we would be able to make the best of the situation as a community if we’re able to share in the proceeds and backing things up with a social safety net,” Boldt said.

“But if we don’t back Callander there will be no share.”

Abraham says councils in Mattawa, Bonfield, Nipissing, Powassan and Callander have already confirmed their support for the bid.

East Ferris is expected to pass a resolution supporting the proposal at its council meeting this week.

No more time left
Queen's Park will likely lift a provincial moratorium on casinos in June, Abraham said.

“After that they have to formulate a business plan for a new casino but everybody I’ve talked to including bankers, business people or consultants say they’d need to have
a location first before they can finish that business plan,” said Abraham, who addresses council Monday night.

“So sometime in the next week we, as regional partners, have to make it known to Queen’s Park that we are applying in solidarity for this gaming facility and license.”

“The “bottom line,” Abraham said, is that either North Bay signs on, “or we will be doing this by ourselves. There’s no more time left.”

Abraham said the facility, to be built at the Lookout Inn, will include a conference center “double the capacity” of anything now available, an executive golf course, an
indoor water park and slide.