After much debate, it was announced recently that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Corporation has determined that the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will see a casino being installed as part of its modernization plan. Three potential Toronto locations have been identified for the facility, along with Southern Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill being named as contenders. Though this decision has not been taken lightly by the city, namely two top-restaurant owners, Peter Oliver and Michael Bonacini.
Oliver and Bonacini took to the newswire yesterday with a statement on the matter. In the release, the owners said, “There will be economic benefits to whichever community moves forward with the project, including a significant number of construction and hospitality jobs, increased property tax revenues and compensation from the OLG. The potential negatives of increased crime and addiction apply to all communities.”
The restaurant owners are not alone, Toronto resident Elle Barka agreed with their statement, during interview, saying, “The issue with Toronto is that buildings are going up so rapidly that architects barely have any time to put thought into them. Old, beautiful, buildings are being torn down and replaced with bland glass towers. If a casino were to be built downtown, without proper input from residents of the city, it would only contribute to the decaying façade of Toronto.” Barka, Oliver and Bonacini are right. The city should have a voice in the major changes being made within it.
Since Toronto snatched the title of fourth most populous city in North America all eyes have been turned to the north. As Oliver and Bonacini said, “what sets Toronto apart from other markets as a preferred location is the significant volume of traffic it can drive to a casino by virtue of its population and tourism, thereby dramatically increasing earnings potential and economic impact.”
Though the city is still lacking a major casino, there are still numerous gaps in infrastructure that need to be mended before the addition of a casino can be deemed adequate. Oliver and Bonacini think the city of Toronto could benefit from, “impactful transit solutions, infrastructure support, and maximized capacity for our hotels, restaurants, museums, theatres and shopping destinations.” That being said, an improvement suggested within the release could prove to offer more profit to Toronto’s rapidly growing economy, “an enlarged, upgraded convention facility.”
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), opened in 1984, was once considered one of North America’s finest convention venues. In recent years its reputation has decayed, with legions of convention delegates overlooking Toronto as their host.
The restaurant owners put it best, “We need to regain our competitive edge, yet there is no practical financial means to achieve this in the relative short term. A casino may not necessarily feel like a "right fit" for Toronto, but if private sector funding associated with a casino development can be negotiated to include an upgraded and expanded convention facility, we think Torontonians owe it to themselves to give this option serious consideration.”
They went on to pledge their support for a casino-resort replacing the once-glorious MTCC.
Still, most Torontonians (who live downtown) are seemingly against the idea, leaving councilors and city planners alike wondering whether it is just a fear of change. The construction of Toronto’s latest tourist trap, the Ripley’s Aquarium next to the CN Tower, already has city dwellers up in arms, Barka included. “With all the negative press around Marine Land, which is technically within the GTA, has put Torontonians on edge and left us questioning our personal morals when it comes to animals in captivity.”
Though Oliver and Bonacini might not be too fond of the idea, they truly think it could be worthwhile for the city’s economy, if executed properly. Claiming other cities around the world have got it right, the restaurant owners seem hopeful that if the public is involved in some way, the project could be a huge success. Whether Barka, Oliver or Bonacini’s opinions are taken seriously by City Hall is another story.
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