Assurances that Cloverdale’s Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino will continue to be the biggest game in town continue to placate Cloverdale business leaders who once voiced concern about a proposed South Surrey casino.
The BC Lottery Corporation’s vice-president of casino and community gaming, Jim Lightbody, was guest speaker at Cloverdale and District Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon last Tuesday.
And the reaction he received was very positive, said chamber president Brian Young, noting Lightbody’s remarks confirmed BCLC’s has commitment to bring in live sport betting at Fraser Downs.
“They’ve committed to it, they’re doing it, and, as long as that happens, we’re very happy,” he said.
Such a commitment means that the proposed South Surrey casino, part of a 200-suite hotel and convention centre planned for 10 Avenue and 168 Street, will not offer significant competition to Fraser Downs, Young said.
“We are not averse to the expansion of that business,” he said.
“We’re only averse to anything that operates to the detriment of Fraser Downs. We like new business – 10 businesses thriving are better than one.”
Young said that although Lightbody did not share a timeline for introducing live betting at Fraser Downs, the feeling is it will be soon.
“They’re working on it, it’s coming, and it will be there fairly quickly,” Young added.
– Alex Browne, Black Press
