Released on January 26, 1996
Casino Regina, Saskatchewan's first full-service gaming facility,launched operations this evening with a preview attended by more than
2,500 guests representing the general public and dozens of private and
public sector organizations from throughout the province.
Joanne Crofford, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Gaming
Corporation, was joined in a ribbon cutting ceremony by Deputy Premier
Dwain Lingenfelter; Regina Mayor Doug Archer; Chief Blaine Favel of the
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations; Perry Bellegarde, a director
of the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation; and Lowell Monkhouse, executive
director of Regina's Market Square.
The $37 million project, Saskatchewan's newest tourist attraction,
entertainment facility and major economic development project, is
scheduled to open for regular business Friday morning. Casino Regina has
40 table games and a wide variety of electronic gaming machines, plus
entertainment, restaurant and retail facilities.
Crofford said Casino Regina has been developed and will be operated
within the policies and guidelines established by the government to
regulate gaming in Saskatchewan.
"Our goal in development of gaming policy has been to provide a
comprehensive package that will limit, regulate and control gaming
activities," Crofford said.
The minister said the government is particularly proud of the partnership
achieved with the aboriginal community through the historic agreement
with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. The agreement
provides for joint participation and control of casino gaming in the
province and for sharing of revenues.
"The revenues generated will provide job opportunities and improved
health and education services and other benefits for all Saskatchewan,"
Crofford said.
Crofford outlined the economic and other benefits Casino Regina will
generate. When fully operational it will create 352 new jobs with a
payroll of $8 million a year. Another 150 to 200 jobs will be provided
by ancillary services such as food and beverage operations, a gift shop
and parking facilities. It is also estimated that the casino's service
and supply business will produce 200 spin-off jobs and that the facility
will draw additional out-of-province tourists.
"Equally important to the economic rewards is the development of the
province's human resource skills, in this case particularly First Nations
people," Crofford said. "More than one-half the people working in the
casino and ancillary services are of First Nations and M‚tis ancestry.
The thorough training our employees received will be a stepping stone,
not only to potential advancement in the gaming industry, but to other
opportunities as well."
"Casino Regina is the first major project completed under our partnership
with the government," Favel said. "About 35 per cent of the total
employed represents jobs for our First Nations people, and that number
will grow as the casino goes into full operation. We believe this, and
similar projects, will provide us with new levels of self-sufficiency,
training, good quality jobs and future career opportunities."
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For more information, contact:
Ron Stengler
Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1591