By battlefordsNOW Staff

Chiefs approve casino proposal for Lloydminster

Aug 22, 2016 | 4:11 PM

A proposed casino in the City of Lloydminster was approved today.

At their assembly in Regina on Monday, Aug. 22, member chiefs of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) voted in favour of changing the provincial gaming framework, to allow for a new casino in Lloydminster. The casino would be operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), which runs six other Saskatchewan casinos, including the Gold Eagle in North Battleford and the Northern Lights in Prince Albert.

The 2002 framework agreement requires the FSIN to establish there is a viable market and present a detailed development and market plan, for any new casino proposal. It must also consult with members of the community and obtain local council’s approval.

In an interview with battlefordsNOW, FSIN vice-chief Heather Bear said work was done, including consultation with the City of Lloydminster, but the impact on North Battleford remains to be seen.

“I know within our framework in terms of business there are provisions there,” Bear said. “But time will tell. We’ll have to go through the test of time to see how those are impacted. All of our casinos are collective in nature in terms of profits and how they’re shared. But if there is an impact on North Battleford that’s work yet to be done and addressed later.”

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Bear expected an 18 to 24-month timeline for the new casino to open.

“It would nice to see it sooner, but like I say, construction is a process as well. You’re looking at a lot of training, the fit-ups and so forth,” she said.

In a news release, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron called the expansion of SIGA into Lloydminster a “milestone,” and cited the work of the federation, the Border Tribal Council, SIGA, and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).

David Morris, a spokesperson for SLGA, said the amendment to the agreement includes the allocation of 250 new slot machines and the creation of a Community Development Corporation to distribute a portion of the profits within the community. He deferred questions regarding the timeline for construction, and the market research backing the proposal, to SIGA.

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Editor’s Note– This story was updated at 5:16 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22 to include information obtained from an interview with Heather Bear.