Editor:
A mini-Vegas for South Surrey?
We don’t know why some people think it’s a good idea to put a casino and convention centre on 168 Street at 10 Avenue – 168th is a quiet street which much wildlife used to cross.
We quite often see deer, owls, raccoons, rabbits to name a few. This area is also home to many rare birds. These animals all call this area home.
When they started putting up homes near the truck crossing, we saw a huge increase in wildlife activity.
We already have a hotel and convention centre – which locals call “the Pink Palace” – that is never busy. Why do we need another one?
Cloverdale is not far. They have one.
We feel the approval of this gaming centre will have a negative impact on our quiet street that is mostly farms. We feel it will create much unwanted traffic and property theft.
Let’s not forget the wildlife that call this area home. We already have a raccoon that has taken over our tool shed and deer that somehow get stuck in our front yard that end up stressed out because they can’t figure out how to get out of the yard.
We do not wish for this development to be approved.
Terry & Debbie Nociar, Surrey
• • •
It was with great dismay that I read former White Rock councillor Cliff Annable’s comments regarding the proposed casino for South Surrey.
A $100-million complex, 60,000-square-foot facility, 27,000-sq.-ft. convention centre with a 1,200-vehicle parking lot that he contends will not have a huge effect on the community.
This complex will be built directly across the street from a residential area. It will have a direct and negative impact on the residents living there.
Apparently this casino will rival Great Canadian’s River Rock and Boulevard Casino.
The reason those two facilities were successfully built without opposition was because they were built in commercial industrial areas, not across the street from people’s homes. I know, as I worked at Great Canadian at the time the facilities were being built.
The public input was vitally important, and they were careful to choose sites that would not impact negatively on the daily life of citizens.
Annable has said the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce is 110 per cent for this proposal and this is the best thing since sliced bread to happen to the community. I wonder if he would feel that way if it were being built in his backyard?
What happened to public consultation? That appears to be happening after the fact.
My neighbours and my husband and I enjoy going to casinos but all agree that they should be built away from residential areas. They are open 24 hours a day. How will that not impact us? Not to mention the decreased value of our properties.
Ask yourself if you would want to live a few blocks away from a convention centre and casino. I strongly urge council to think seriously about this proposal and find another location in a commercial area.
Lindsay MacLeod Michaud, Surrey
