Wasaga Beach offers up casino sites

The Town of Wasaga Beach has responded to the Province’s Request for Information regarding the possibility of establishing a 300-slot casino somewhere in the area of Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Clearview and Springwater and has also submitted a map of eight potential sites within its municipal boundaries – despite assurances that they will work together with the other three municipalities on a joint response later this summer.

Of the eight proposed sites, five are at the eastern end of Wasaga Beach and three are in the west. Of the western sites, one is at the intersection of Fairgrounds Road and Highway 26, one at the intersection of Mosley Street and Highway 26 and one further south on Highway 26, just north of Sunnidale Concession 12.

The submission apparently caused a stir among representatives of the other three municipalities, and prompted an apology letter from Wasaga Beach CEO George Vadebonceur on July 5, two days after the response to the province. In the second letter, the other municipalites were assured that Wasaga Beach plans to continue working as a regional team and that the response was submitted to let the province know that Wasaga Beach opposed any changes to the boundaries of the area being looked at for a future casino.

The next meeting of the four municipalities is still to be scheduled.