Plans for the bright lights and slots of a community gaming centre at the foot of Stawamus Chief has received widespread support from Squamish Nation members, and plans are moving ahead.
The Squamish Nation recently voted 86 per cent in favour of supporting the gaming centre. The vote allows the Squamish Nation to proceed with negotiations with Boardwalk Gaming and Entertainment Inc. and begin construction.
The Boardwalk Gaming and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) gave a presentation to band members Friday Jan. 30 on the proposal to build a Chances Gaming Centre (CGA) on Squamish Nation on Highway 99 just south of the entrance to the municipality.
Chief Gibby Jacob said the facility is one of the more exciting projects happening within the Squamish Nation. Estimates indicate that a gaming facility would result in $1 million of yearly profit for the band.
"This facility means work for our young people. In these times jobs are scarce and people are getting laid off," Jacob said.
But at least one member is speaking out against the plan and against the voting process.
A Squamish Nation member, who declined to be named for fear of repercussions, is worried about the impacts of a gambling establishment on the community.
"I'm hoping that it won't go through at all. I am letting Squamish residents know about this, to see how you feel about the gaming centre that may be developed here in our backyard," said the resident in a letter to The Chief.
The member also expressed concern about the voting process itself, stating that all Squamish Nation membership voted on the issue including members who live in North Vancouver and the United States. As a result, the votes of band members living in Squamish count for less.
"It is not fair that the ones who get to vote do not live here in the Squamish Valley, so we get outvoted all of the time on many different issues," said the member.
But Jacob said a precedent was set with the Park Royal Shopping Centre in North Vancouver proposal, which also resulted in an invitation to vote to the entire Squamish Nation membership.
"All the people of the Squamish Nation irrespective of where they live had an opportunity to vote," Jacob said.
In the next 20 years, Jacob said, the Squamish Nation population is expected to double, which translates into the need for more revenue. Without initiatives such as the gaming centre, Gibby said, members are not facing a good scenario.
As a longtime advocate of both District of Squamish and Squamish Nation issues, Squamish Nation member Donna Billy, who ran for district council last year, said the plan will be good for the Squamish Nation since it may translate into 45 new full-time and part-time jobs.
"I think it's about time we had something like this. I think Squamish Nation needs some economic development to give this community a boost. Tourists will see the gaming centre and might decide to stay in town," she said.
She said she wasn't concerned with a perceived inequality in the voting process.
"The Squamish Nation doesn't have to go off reserve for approval, but as a courtesy they will. There's always some negativity when it comes to something new."
Meanwhile, the District of Squamish is addressing concerns over potential social ills, such as gambling addiction. Council has not taken an official position on the issue since the facility is outside district jurisdiction, but discussions are underway, said Mayor Greg Gardner.
"We did dialogue about the potential social impacts of a gaming centre and the Squamish Nation has indicated they would be willing to discuss mitigating those impacts as it goes forward," said Gardner.
The district is also requesting that Squamish Nation remain open to comments from the community.
Jacob said community consultation is complete and plans for the gaming centre are moving ahead.
Billy said Squamish needs to be open for business, and the benefits outweigh potential impacts.
"If you have good security a lot of those concerns should not be a problem," Billy said.
If approved, it is expected the Gaming Centre will open prior to the 2010 Winter Games.
It will include a range of gaming products including bingo, interactive monitor games, Keno, lottery tickets, slot machines and off-track horse race gaming. It is not considered a casino because plans do not include staffed table games like craps or roulette.
