Casinos and gambling were the main topics of conversation at last week’s Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon as representatives from the B.C. Lottery Corporation and Gateway Casino were on hand.
Tanya Gabara of Gateway Casinos said the company currently has 27 properties, including Chances Mission, making them one of the largest Canadian gaming operations.
The Mission location is one of the smaller gaming centres.
“We are a very small operation, 15,000 square feet with just 38 employees and one teeny tiny dining option,” said Gabara.
However, plans are in place to move and rebrand the Chances.
“We are going to build a full service entertainment destination here in Mission. Not just for the people who live in Mission, but for those who we want to come and visit Mission,” she said.
The new facility will be located at the Outlook Village Development at Wren Street and Lougheed Highway.
It was decided to move the old chances because there were “no more renovation or redevelopment opportunities” at the current location.
According to Gabara, the new site will offer 30,000 square feet of entertainment, doubling the current footprint.
“We are thrilled to announce for the first time that the brand that we’ve chosen for this property is our playtime casino brand. So it will be called Playtime Casino Mission. We feel that this is the best brand for this community. It’s our neighbourly brand, it’s meant to feel comfortable and inviting.”
It will be the second one of its kind in B.C.
“It’s very bright, it’s vibrant, I think it’s a fun brand because it’s very comfortable,” she said.
However, it won’t just be a casino. It will also have two of Gateway Casino’s signature dining establishments – the Buffet and Match Eatery and Public House.
Match will also have a small stage for entertainment purposes.
“It can accommodate anything from a solo guitar player to a DJ, to a three or four piece band or even comedy nights.”
At this time, Gabara said it has not been determined if the casino portion will consist of slots or slots and table games. However she said more announcements are coming in the future.
Gateway is investing $14 million in capital costs to create the new facility and estimate it will create 100 new jobs in the area.
