Skip to content
Back to all News Releases

Casino location marks new economic era for Wasaga Beach

Casino location marks new economic era for Wasaga Beach

Posted in: News Item

Date Posted: 2019-04-05

Organization Name: Town of Wasaga Beach

Mayor Nina Bifolchi, on behalf of the Town of Wasaga Beach, congratulated Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. on the announcement of its site for a casino in the community.

Gateway has chosen to place its Wasaga Beach casino on property south of the Beachwood Road roundabout (see map).
Wasaga Beach Gateway Casino map

“We are thrilled that Gateway has settled on a site that will best meet its business needs and we look forward to the construction phase starting,” Bifolchi said. “We know that Gateway has a tremendous track record in its industry, they are truly leaders, and we look forward to a strong and positive relationship with them in Wasaga Beach.”

New era for economic development in Wasaga Beach

Bifolchi said the casino represents the dawn of a new period of economic development in the community, an era that will pay dividends for years to come.

“Job creation is the single most important factor of this project,” Bifolchi said. “It’s anticipated that 150 new jobs will be generated when the casino opens its doors in the
summer of 2020.”

Bifolchi said the casino will also serve as a drawing card, bringing thousands of people to Wasaga Beach each year.

“This influx will create economic benefits that will be felt throughout our community for years to come,” she said.

For the Town of Wasaga Beach, there will also be a dependable revenue stream from the casino, anywhere from $1.5-million to $2-million annually.

“On behalf of town council, and all our residents, I want to thank Gateway for choosing to be a part of Wasaga Beach. We are grateful for your investment here and we are
excited by this new opportunity for our town.”

Danny Rodgers, the town’s director of building and development standards, will now mobilize the municipality’s development review team. The team will assist with the site plan and building permit applications related to the casino with the goal of having them processed expeditiously without compromising any of the municipality’s standards.

Casino Site Selection Background

In March 2012, OLG announced its intention to expand gaming in Ontario by issuing a Request for Information (RFI), seeking input from potential service providers as it expanded regulated private-sector gaming in Ontario.

Wasaga Beach was identified, along with the Town of Collingwood, Clearview Township,
and the Township of Springwater, as an area for expansion and was designated Zone C7. The OLG indicated that each zone would only support one gaming facility. The gaming facility for Zone C7 would offer up to 300 slot machines and the potential for table games.

In June 2012, council indicated it was prepared to explore the opportunity of hosting a gaming facility.

The town subsequently undertook an extensive public consultation process that included two public information meetings and a public opinion survey that showed community support of the town pursuing a gaming facility.

In November 2012, the Town of Wasaga Beach indicated to OLG the municipality is willing to host a gaming facility.

The town identified five sites.

In March 2018, OLG announced Gateway Casinos and Entertainment was selected to operate a facility in the Georgian Triangle.

Early in October 2018, Gateway confirmed it would build a casino and entertainment complex in Wasaga Beach.

Since that time, Gateway has reviewed its site options.

About Wasaga Beach

The Town of Wasaga Beach is nestled along the southern shore of Nottawasaga Bay and is home to approximately 21,000 full-time residents. That population swells significantly in the summer months when cottagers and vacationers arrive. The town is home to a diverse group of residents, including young families and retirees. Housing options in Wasaga Beach range from single-detached homes to townhouses, as well as condominiums and adult-lifestyle one-level accommodation. Three commercial nodes support the town, as well as other shops and stores throughout the community. Small businesses are the primary local employer. Wasaga Beach is home to three elementary schools, a community health centre, and a municipal transit system. Also in town is an
arena, public library, numerous parks, and an extensive trail network. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is part of the community and includes the longest freshwater beach in the world. The town is approximately 30 minutes west of the City of Barrie and 15 minute east of the Town of Collingwood, making it one of the premier spots to live in Simcoe County.