Mega-casino plans in South Surrey worries residents

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SURREY (NEWS1130) – It hasn’t been built yet, but a large development planned for South Surrey is becoming quite controversial.

Gateway’s South Surrey Entertainment Complex proposal includes a 27,000 sq. ft conference centre, a two-level show theatre, a 4-star hotel, and a 60,000 sq. ft. gaming floor with table games and slot machines.

More than 300 people turned up to an open house yesterday for the $100-million plan at the Hazelmere Golf Course near the Pacific Highway  Border Crossing, not too far from where the giant gaming centre will be located.

Developers project it will create about 1,200 construction jobs and, once it’s completed, about 500 people will be employed. Another expected benefit is millions of dollars in revenue going straight to the City of Surrey.

It sounds very impressive, but not to a lot of people living in the area around 10th Avenue and 168 Street think so.

Lindsay is strongly opposed to the plans because she doesn’t want “it in her backyard” and to make matters worse, she says she wasn’t consulted.

“We’re going to be able to see this casino, the strobe lights from our bedroom. They should not be building a casino across the street from homes, it should be in an industrial commercial area…our whole neighbourhood has kids, retirees, middle aged people, it’s a community and it’s all going to be gone,” argues Lindsay.

Carol lived on the property years ago. She fears it will destroy the environment. “It’s surrounded by an agriculture land reserve, a protected habitat, and there are so few green places that are so lovely like that.”

“It will definitely affect our property values as well. We moved out here from Vancouver 15 to 20 years ago because it’s a nice neighbourhood. Well, it’s not going to be that anymore,” says Dale.

Many just don’t like the casino but are fine with all of the rest of the amenities.

“It’s devastating! It’s going to bring a lot of crime and a lot of  broken families and people are going to lose a whole lot. The only people that are going to gain from this is the government and developer,” argues Kirby.

But not everyone is upset over the mega project; some like the idea of job creation and boosting the local economy.

“I don’t want to cross any bridges to go to the casino; I got it here, so bring it on! If I want to see a concert, we got it here. If I need a convention centre, it’s here. I don’t have to drive into Vancouver. I don’t have to face the traffic. I can do it here,” says Ken.

Surrey’s business community is supportive of the idea as well.

“The Surrey Board of Trade‘s perspective on the development is that it will create jobs, it will be great for the local economy and it will bring a much-needed convention/conference type of facility, a first class River Rock-type of facility, which is something Surrey needs,” says board CEO Anita Huberman.

“Surrey is going to be the largest city, from a population perspective, in BC and we have nothing. We are supporters of this proposal and we know it still has to be approved by mayor and council but we do believe this will be good for our local economy,” she says.

Her response to people who oppose proposal, believing it will bring crime and other problems associated with gambling addiction into the neighbourhood around it?

“These issues are always at the forefront when there is casino proposal on the table. But I think you only have to look at the examples that already exist in the Lower Mainland and that these issues can be managed with a collaborative approach with the RCMP, with community stakeholders and education,” explains Huberman.

Gateway is hoping to start construction in early 2013, which should last about 18 months.

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