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Council raises bet on Pinewood Park

'In 2016 OLG’s profits were 56 percent. In 2016, the profits for Walmart were three percent…and the profits for McDonald’s were 20 percent'
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The rezoning on Pinewood Park Drive is looking to accommodate two possible purposes for future development. Photo courtesy of the city of North Bay.

Last night was another opportunity for the opposition to a possible North Bay casino to come out and explain what they believe to be a massive negative impact to the community should it find itself within the borders of the city.

North Bay council members heard these pleas last night during a special committee meeting where an application by Jesse Shortt, on behalf of Pinewood Park Drive Inc., was presented, proposing a rezoning of property in the area for two possible outcomes: the previously suggested location for an arena to be operated by the city, and a casino.

Among the group of presenters opposed to the possible casino was a regular anti-casino presenter, Janet Zimbalatti, who took the opportunity to remind council of the negative impacts of the casino on North Bay.

“I object to any property that takes $30 to $40 million from the local economy,” she declared to members of council last night. “I’m also opposed to an unserviced area of West Ferris being rezoned because the taxpayers are on the hook.”

However, Coun. Chris Mayne assured her in that the costs of servicing the land would be under the responsibility of the developer.

Zimbalatti continued by saying the Pinewood Park Drive property is outside of the boundaries originally identified by Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Corp. and that a nearby site was already dismissed for the casino.

More so, her main issue was with the massive amount of local dollars she feared the casino would be taking out of the city and funneling into the Provincial coffers.

“In 2016 OLG’s profits were 56 percent,” she repeated to council. “56 percent. In 2016, the profits for Walmart were three percent…and the profits for McDonald’s were 20 percent.”

And she wasn’t alone in speaking against the casino.

Several residents from the municipality of Callander spoke out against the casino, saying it should not be developed in North Bay and if it was, Callander should receive some of the benefits.

Meanwhile, Matthew Whitehead suggested, in his presentation, that North Bay hold a referendum on whether there should be a casino in town, asking the community at large to participate in the crucial debate.

However, the city clerk noted that a question around the casino could not be legally asked as a referendum question under the Municipal Elections Act.


Ryen Veldhuis

About the Author: Ryen Veldhuis

Writer. Photographer. Adventurer. An avid cyclist, you can probably spot him pedaling away around town.
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