Woodbine Casino Expansion 2018
The Rexdale - Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is the first CBA of this magnitude and scale in Ontario that contains hard targets and a clear accountability framework. Together, the City of Toronto and One Toronto Gaming have agreed to ensure that the opportunities related to the expansion of the casino and the. In the meantime, the new station in the Woodbine-Highway 27 area is expected to draw approximately 14,700 individuals using it regularly for their commute. Casino Expansion Well on Its Way. Recently the Metrolinx board had to consider ways of approaching this new project and discussing the strategies for its future development.
UPDATED: On Tuesday night, Mayor John Tory's executive committee gave its stamp of approval to the Woodbine casino expansion, with a few caveats.
Several amendments were made, including exploring the possibility of child care for casino employees and beefing up hiring targets.
The interim city manager is set to report back to the full city council next week.
The proposed casino expansion at Woodbine Racetrack could bring in roughly $30 million in annual revenue for the city and provide hundreds of jobs to local workers, but critics aren't sure the project is a safe bet.
A recent report from interim city manager Giuliana Carbone notes that in 2022, when the facility is fully built-out, the city can expect to receive $26 to $31 million a year, according to estimates from the province's Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
'Is this the right way to fund government, by preying on people's addiction?' questioned Coun. Mike Layton, who has been a vocal critic of the project. 'Most of the money that comes into casinos is from people who have a problem with gambling.'
Layton also believes the potential expansion isn't living up to previous promises.
The latest annual city revenue numbers, he notes, are lower than earlier projections. He also says the most recent report doesn't dive into the potential costs to the city, be it policing or social costs stemming from problem gambling.
City has 21 conditions on hiring, problem gambling
Carbone's report suggests city council put a stamp of approval on the efforts of service provider Ontario Gaming GTA LP to meet various conditions laid out by council in 2015, which include mitigating the negative impacts of gambling by working with city staff and the medical officer of health.
Those 21 conditions also include boosting tourism and providing jobs, with a commitment to having at least 40 percent of employees hired in the community and through local social agencies.
All the conditions have all been met, notes the report, which also recommends the city enter into a formal Community Benefits Agreement with Ontario Gaming.
'We think it could be stronger'
Rosemarie Powell, executive director of advocacy group Toronto Community Benefits Network, wants the number of local hires boosted to 60 percent and hopes child care will be provided for workers at the Rexdale-based racetrack.
'We want to see reporting and oversight mechanisms so the public can be assured that jobs and investments will actually benefit the local community,' she said.
3,700 new jobs expected by end of 2022
By the end of 2022, the facility is expected to provide roughly 3,700 new jobs.
Carbone's report says Ontario Gaming plans to ensure at least half of the employees will be working full-time after two years of operation.
As CBC reported last year, many northern Etobicoke residents are hopeful that the casino expansion will revitalize an area that lost upwards of 20,000 jobs between 2001 and 2011.
Woodbine Casino Expansion 2018 News
The multi-use development is touted by Woodbine Entertainment Group as a 'city within a city,' with shopping, offices, two hotels and a performance venue alongside the expanded gaming facility.
Woodbine Racetrack will be home to a large casino in Toronto.
On Thursday, Toronto City Council approved expanded gaming at the popular racetrack, by a vote of 26 to 15.
Currently, Woodbine Racetrack is the home of Casino Woodbine, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and contains approximately 3,000 electronic games (slots and other games such as electronic poker), but no live dealer tables.
Casino Woodbine employs 723 people.
And with this approval, Woodbine states that expanded gaming on the site will be a catalyst for future development.
“We are pleased that council chose to support jobs, development, and the vitality that expanded gaming will bring to this portion of the city,” said Jim Lawson, CEO Woodbine Entertainment in a statement. “We look forward to co-creating an exciting future on this site with our partners OGGTA.”
Among City Council’s requirements, a minimum of 40% new hires (to be tracked by headcount) will be dedicated to local hiring. In the first two years of operations, at least 40% of total employees will work full-time, and after two years of operation, at least 50% of employees will work full-time.
“This is a major milestone for the city’s northwest, as this will be a catalyst for continued investment and redevelopment in the community for years to come,” said Coun. Michael Ford in a statement.
“Woodbine Racetrack will become a world-class destination resort, and will not only attract international investment, but will also provide residents of the City of Toronto and surrounding municipalities a place to work, live, and play.”
But while the majority voted for the casino, some did not agree with the decision.
Woodbine Casino Expansion 2018 News
“This is the absolute wrong way to build a healthy and economically strong city,” tweeted Coun. Joe Cressy.
In 2018, in Toronto, City Council is about to approve the expansion of gambling and casino facilities in Etobicoke in order to spur economic development. This is the absolute wrong way to build a healthy and economically strong City.
— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) April 26, 2018
Last year, Woodbine Entertainment said it was looking to become a “city within a city.”
The 684-acre site, privately owned by Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), will be transformed as the owners complete a master plan for the future “urban heart” of northwest Toronto.
While they hope it continues to be the ultimate destination for horse racing and gaming, they said they would also be looking to expand and integrate entertainment along with “cultural offerings, food and dining, hotel, shopping, office space, post-secondary education, recreation, health, wellness, and urban residential living.”
Founded in 1881, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), formerly the Ontario Jockey Club, is the largest operator of horse racing in Canada, and according to their website, WEG drives Ontario’s horse racing industry and generates 60,000 jobs within the Province’s agricultural sectors.