Busy day for FDGC opening
Slightly fewer than 4,000 people passed
through the doors to try the action on the opening day of
the Fraser Downs Gaming Centre.
The facility, which houses 198 slot
machines in the first phase of the centre, was close to
capacity a couple of times through the day.
Chuck Keeling, general manager of the
FDGC, said revenue estimates were exceeded by 30 per cent.
“We knew there could be minor glitches
and there were,” said Bill McNeill, director of gaming.
“Sheer volume at times compromised our
efforts,” McNeill added, “but the staff did a phenomenal job
and put in a great effort. No major issues arose. It was a
learning experience and we will build off yesterday.”
The excitement does not slow. By
mid-August, the second phase of the temporary facility
(where Legends was located on the ground floor of the
Grandstand building) will be opened with another 200
machines.
Work is already under way on the permanent facility, which
will require the majority of a $25 million budget to
complete and is to open in April 2005.
-30-
