Professional Documents
Culture Documents
313 Water Street, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7W7 Tel: (705) 748-4774/5
website: www.GoDowntown.ca e-mail: info@peterboroughbia.com
"Not only does it bring people down, but the people that are employed at the casino eat here, shop in the
downtown area and go to the local watering holes in our area. It's not only the people that are coming to gamble,
it's the people that work in the casinos, that are helping our downtown core thrive."
"We have made this more of an attraction to the downtown," he says. "You've got to use the tools you've been
given and we've used it? I can tell you as a (Business Improvement Area), we would fight to keep this downtown."
Brantford "There is a direct line between the casino and the revitalization of downtown". Mayor
Casino profits allowed a performance grant program to be set up for about 7 years that provided up to 25% of the value of a
project to significantly renovate old buildings. This helped bring up residential density in the downtown.
The investments continued in post-secondary education facilities as 2 University and 2 Colleges have programs in
the downtown with this investment capital.
No issues with crime or the other things people assumed would happen with a casino, if anything, it is reduced
with more people downtown. More eyes on the street and movement help in that regard.
On the whole the casino has had a very positive impact on Brantford's downtown according to Annette. More
restaurants and services have been created and retail has stayed about the same.
"The benefits are not really foot traffic but the way the revenue from the casino is invested into improving
downtown" say's Prang. "It brings dedicated employees who are living and working downtown" he adds "creating
huge dividends".
Mayor Chris Friel initially a casino opponent said "there is a direct line between the casino and the revitalization
of downtown".
Windsor BIA
No issues traffic wise, no issues that some people equate to a casino. The downtown would see some spill over
mainly thanks to the 600 employees. The casino has 6 restaurants, a nightclub and a pub inside casino that does
compete with the downtown compliment.
Moncton- "It should have been in the downtown"
Anne Poirier Basque, the executive director of Moncton BIA has a casino just outside of her downtown.
They regret the casino being build a "$20 cab ride from the downtown". She say's "it should have been in the
downtown".
People go to the casino and then go home with little spinoff to the downtown. They have two restaurants inside
the casino and they are usually full.
Moncton BIA initiated an very successful annual comedy festival in February, which was copied by the casino as
the casino could afford to bring in renowned comedy acts that directly competed with the BIA's festival, creating
an adverse effect.
They are a huge competition for the entertainment dollar. They shuttle our hotel guests to the casino from our
downtown. All the taxis are at the casino after a show and not in the downtown, it's frustrating to the bars. "We
hate the current location" Anne says, adding "coliseums, arenas, casino's need to be in downtowns". They receive
no compensation to their BIA.