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It looks like Ottawa is going to get a casino. The only question is, where? Our columnists face off on the issue ? Anthony Furey tells you why a casino should be downtown, and Susan Sherring tells you why a casino should be at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Sometimes the easiest solution is really the best.
Of course, it?s no surprise city council is straying from the best solution, and in the course of all of that, whipping its residents into a frenzy ? and leaving individual councillors to fend for themselves.
Such is the case with the debate over where a full-fledged casino should go in Ottawa.
Why does the city insist on looking for the most difficult process when the right solution is staring them in the face?
It?s so incredibly obvious.
This council should be unified in endorsing a full-fledged casino at the Rideau Carleton Raceway.
It?s so clearly so right.
It?s got the land for expansion and parking, it?s got a thriving horse-racing industry and it?s got the customer base. Add to that the lack of any feasible site downtown ? why the hesitation?
When the Ontario Lottery Group came to town this past week with its dog and pony show, this city should have shown its mettle and said they would only accept a casino if it were located at the RCR.
The OLG team, led by the media-savvy Rod Phillips, made it clear they want a casino in the downtown core.
Who cares? This is our city and we get to decide what we want.
And while Phillips didn?t actually grimace when council endorsed ensuring the RCR was in the list of finalists, he might as well have.
For sure, the OLG isn?t going to walk away from the dollars on the table in the nation?s capital.
Ottawa really holds all the cards.
The city wants a casino that is away from residential neighbourhoods, has a large amount of available land to provide for the casino, the approval of most of city council ? and the established fan base.
The RCR has about 500 acres just waiting for this opportunity.
Let?s also remember that giving the RCR the casino helps preserve the horse-racing industry. Even without expansion, it has a solid following who have little interest in venturing to Gatineau for the tables at Lac Leamy.
Why would you kill one sector of society simply to revitalize another location?
With about 1,300 slots at the present, the facility already attracts 1.7 million visitors a year.
Why attempt to revitalize an area of Ottawa with a casino if it means killing the racing industry ? putting untold numbers out of work ? to move to an area where you?re not even wanted?
It?s as clear as the dice on the table.
Sure, in a perfect world, the city would now have a thriving casino on Sparks St. mall.
But that ship has sailed, and the feds have now made it clear the Parliament Precinct is not up for grabs.
There?s simply no appropriate spot for a big-time casino.
If you?ve lived in Ottawa for any length of time, you know the reality of the situation. To suggest otherwise shows your naivete regarding this city.
So move ahead and embrace the change.
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury has no interest in seeing the casino in his ward. His feelings won?t mean anything if the city simply goes forward with the OLG without any qualifying factors.
?We haven?t heard from anyone or group in the ward who is in favour of having a casino.
?I do not see how a casino, at this point and time, will offer any additional benefits to our residents, therefore I will not be in support of advancing with the process.?
So OLG, just back off.
Does Ottawa want a casino to compete for gambling dollars against Lac Leamy?
Yes.
And this city wants it at the Rideau Carleton Raceway.
End of story.
Take it or leave it.
susan.sherring@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @suncityhall
Where should Ottawa's casino be located?
Source: http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/10/06/rideau-carleton-raceway-best-bet-for-casino
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