By Geoff Smith

New casino will have minimal impact on Gold Eagle: SIGA

Aug 24, 2016 | 12:14 PM

The operator of North Battleford’s Gold Eagle Casino is expecting a “small loss of business” may occur when a new casino opens in Lloydminster.

But Pat Cook, vice-president of corporate affairs for the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) there is nothing to worry about.

“We’ve made a commitment to be in North Battleford with the Gold Eagle Casino and we’re satisfied with what we’re doing right now,” Cook said.

She said each of its casinos is designed to serve a regional market. Cook added SIGA, like any business, has done a lot of research to ensure the area can support two casinos.

“The studies we’ve done show that we should be able to make a viable business in Lloydminster and still be able to support Gold Eagle as well,” Cook said.

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She added SIGA has every intention to remain a good corporate citizen and partner in the Battlefords community. Cook said the casino’s design process has just begun but hopes it will be open by the end of 2017.

Jay Bottomley, president of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, agrees SIGA has put a lot of money into the Battlefords, and isn’t worried about the community losing business to Lloydminster.

“I think it’s great news, especially in this time right now when our economy’s struggling a little bit, especially in the Lloydminster area, and the news that it’s going to be providing around 500 jobs, I think that’s awesome for that community there as well as the casinos,” he said adding he hopes it becomes another stop on the “casino tour.”

Geoff Smith is battlefordsNOW’s News Director, business and agriculture reporter. He can be reached at geoff.smith@jpbg.ca or tweet him @smithco.