Prince George, B.C. – The application for a rezoning that would allow the Chances Bingo operations to move to the Treasure Cove Casino has been given 1^st and 2^nd readings by Prince George City Council.

The approval clears the way for a public hearing to be held in two weeks at the next meeting of Council, that is the 25^th of August.

The new Chances Gaming Centre in Downtown Prince George only opened in late March, but owner John Major says the facility was too large for his bingo patrons, and the addition of slot machines had a detrimental effect on the bingo experience. Bingo activity was down 20- 25% in the first quarter of operations at the $14 million dollar plus facility. 

The  application this evening included an estimate from L&M Engineering which pegged the cost of the new  bingo  centre and  show lounge at  nearly  $5.2 million dollars.   That would  cover the cost of the construction of a new  15,700 square foot building.

In a letter to Council, Major says the move would consolidate his operations and he would be able to reap the benefits of the efficiencies created by the merger of the two.  

The slot machines at Chances would NOT be added to the Treasure Cove Casino meaning the total number of slots allowed in the city would be reduced by 100. If approved, the move would also reduce the number of bingo seats. Currently, Chances is licensed for 660 bingo seats. The change to the Treasure Cove will see 402 bingo seats with an expansion to 650 for special events. That is 10 fewer than the current license.

Also on hand for the initial  presentation of the application was Gary Walker of the B.C. Lottery Corporation.  The package presented to Council this evening included a letter of support from the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

There were also letters of support from the Charities who benefit from the money raised through bingo, as they get about $3 million a year through that form of gaming.

Councilor Debora Munoz  wanted to know what will happen to the promise of money from the 100 slots that was guaranteed to  go towards the Charities.   That agreement  would  give the charities $50 thousand a year. That question  will be put to the applicant during the public hearing.

She also asked about the impact on the parkade. Real Estate Manager, Ian Wells advised  the property was sold to  the Chances  Gaming Centre for $1.2 million.  The construction of the parkade cost the City $3 million dollars and the  Gaming Centre put in another  $1.86 million dollars meaning the total cost of the  parkade was $4.86 million dollars.  Wells says if the move of the gaming centre is approved, the parking stalls could be rented out on a monthly basis.

Council was also assured the initial plan to build  townhomes adjacent to the Gaming Centre on the downtown site will be honoured.

Councilor Brian Skakun says he hopes he hears from City Centre Ventures and Downtown Prince George when the public hearing is held.  Both groups had supported the constructionof the gaming centre, hoping it would  be the catalyst for  downtown improvements   "I think we are being rushed on this" said Skakun. "I don't want to see that thing move" he told his colleagues. Councilor Murry Krause says he too has concerns, especially when it comes to  what this will mean to the charities, but  he added "$5 milion dollars plus means a lot of construction jobs"  but looks forward to having his questions  answered at the public hearing.

The Mayor also supports the  matter  moving to the public hearing  and said  it was important to keep in mind the matter  will be about a land use decision, but there is also a need to allay the fears that there will be yet another vacant building in the downtown.   

Councilor Brian Skakun was the only  member of Council present to oppose the  first and second readings.