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OLG Toronto/GTA casino proposal (where to put it?)

Markham is building a downtown, its probably the most ambitious project for a suburb in all of North America at the moment.

They just got a casino. I wouldn't rule Markham out from OLG's perspective.
 
spider said:
I have never been to Las Vegas which is referred to here as the Gold Standard of what a Casino location should be, I visited it by Google streetview and was not able to envisage that main drag being replicated anywhere in downtown Toronto. Markham doesn't have a downtown so is not really a player here.

We are told that a waterfront location is a must, very little water evident on streetview.

We are told that a high order transit system must be in place, didn't even see a bus on streetview.

A casino is a gambling joint with a great PR department and I don't have a problem with that, think Bingo on steroids. I have a problem with turning the Ex and/or OP into a Bingo hall, they are just too good for that fate. I acknowledge that yes they have fallen on lean times lately but they would be lost forever for what?

MGM or whomever could be the catalyst that gets the Portlands out of the limbo they so richly deserve since no other private capital source will ever spend a penny there that is not contigent on others stepping up as well.
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Hopefully you taped your ankles before making leaps like that......never been to Vegas-saw it on the net-bingo Hall on steroids-OP/the Ex should not be turned into a bingo Hall.

I think those that are saying waterfront location are saying that is what they think is best in a Toronto context, not that any/all successful casinos are on water (Vegas is a bit of a desert ).....as for transit, most people walk the strip but those wanting transit usually don't look fora bus....they prefer the Canadian designed/built/operated mono-rail that runs from one end of the strip to the other.
 
taal said:
Markham is building a downtown, its probably the most ambitious project for a suburb in all of North America at the moment.

They just got a casino. I wouldn't rule Markham out from OLG's perspective.
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edit - they just got a stadium.... yea i agree Markham is in their view... Im still bummed that it wasnt VMC attempting to build a stadium.... bummed out vcc isnt encouraging casino... MCC has square one anchoring it.. Toronto has a bizzilion different things... Richmond hill has Yonge street.... Looks like Markham is going to have a casino/nhl.... what is VMC going to have?
 
I live in Vaughan and I think if it doesn't go to Toronto, it should, without question, go to Markham. They will promote the hell out of it. It will be well designed and the focus for development in the area. Markham would be the city I would most want to "Run" the casino as well. I don't think Vaughan would make the effort for this project to succeed that Markham will put forth.

I just think a Casino Resort should be in the city.

Nouveau riche, staying at Shangra La, Trump or the Ritz won't want to Schlep out to woodbine to lay a few grand down on some craps table. They don't want to go to Markham either.

How about this piece? Here is a parcel that measures above as 43 acres. Maybe 30 acres develop-able?

As you can see, the Exhibition was on at the time of this Google shot. This would just take parking away.
This would preserve all the vistas of Ontario place along with all the most precious parts.

7104307395_39bdb757d6_b.jpg
 
I fully support the idea of a casino in Markham AND Toronto. The GTA can more than support two casinos.
Markham is ready for this one....Toronto is not. But that doesn't mean that Toronto can't do this right and get all the public input they want, do all the studies they want, and make sure they pick the correct location. Toronto also needs to allow time for private companies to make proposals. Toronto needs to make sure that it sits down at the negotiating table and irons out a good deal with a private company like MGM to make sure that Toronto gets the best deal that makes the most sense for Toronto. Don't let Rob Ford sell your city because some American CEO dangles a few billion dollars infront of him. Make sure it's done right.

If there is a casino in Markham AND Toronto, I do think that the one in Toronto will be a lot bigger and more flashy. But that's okay because Markham needs this casino now to accelerate the development of Downtown Markham. If Toronto wants to create a huge monster casino resort on it's waterfront in the next 10 years that is certainly possible. However, first you should get all your ducks-in-a-row, do all the referendums and studies you want, iron out a good deal with a company like MGM, and together approach the OLG with a proposal for a resort casino on the waterfront.
 
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Sorry I meant stadium above ... not casino ... there's been no further news regarding that.


Markham Vip ... I just don't see it ... I think one casino in the GTA is all we'll get and need frankly. Having said that I don't think the one in Markham will be small if it is indeed going there, OLG has no interesting in building a small facility ... it'll be large.
 
sixrings said:
id have to look it up but there was artcle and news a few years ago about wonderland selling its land and buying further north to turn a profit with the housing boom.... if that was once a idea i cant see how it would change... ,,,,
as for the science centre - there are countless buildings on the CNE grounds that could faciliate it. It just doesnt make sense to me that these buildings sit empty waiting for boat shows housing shows or the EX. besides all the other art gallerys and museums are downtown like they should be. about the transportation issue... the DRL is currently as drawn suppose to end at the ex.
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I can tell you that Wonderland is 100% not moving. They are not some carnival that can simply pick up and move. All their rides are permanent and they just built one of the largest roller coasters in the world. They are also the most visited season amusement park in North America. They are doing fine and will not move.
 
I feel that a casino in Markham would actually be an incredible addition to the revitalization of the Highway 7 stretch, from Vaughan all the way through to Markham. The vast amount of space available will allow for a grandiose casino that's "out of the way" yet very easily accessible.
 
James said:
I feel that a casino in Markham would actually be an incredible addition to the revitalization of the Highway 7 stretch, from Vaughan all the way through to Markham. The vast amount of space available will allow for a grandiose casino that's "out of the way" yet very easily accessible.
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If that's what you want it shouldn't be in Markham ... they're really going for a downtown vibe there so it will not be "out of the way" ... woodbine, is out of the way if that's what we're looking for.
 
Toronto just doesn't need a casino. If the city wants one they will cry they need more money for it but what will a casino do? Suck money out of the people that live there reducing the quality of life. no thanks
 
If I had it my way there wouldn't be a Markham or MCC or Vaughan ... just Toronto :)
Though this is a contested subject, I'm a fan of the extremely large urban core and very small suburban region, particularly in terms of office usage.

I'd love to emulate Chicago and / or Calgary to a certain degree as it fits this model (European cities as well). Calgary is a better example to be honest, Chicago has a lot of suburban use but their downtown is very large compared to the likes of Los Angles and the like.

And with this I'd like to see most / if not all the major attractions downtown (the one and only downtown). I love our Science center but hate the location, no matter what transit gets built to it.

So while I'm not a huge fan of a Casino, if there's going to be one, I'd rather it be downtown.

But alas, Toronto will never be this, given the fact we haven't seen an office building go up North of (hmm, College) and south of Eglinton in ... forever ... too bad ...
 
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wingerjeff1 said:
Toronto just doesn't need a casino. If the city wants one they will cry they need more money for it but what will a casino do? Suck money out of the people that live there reducing the quality of life. no thanks
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Eh? What? The city is not building the casino. Why would they cry they need more money for it? The casino MGM is proposing will only occupy 5% of the entertainment complex so it shouldn't be too harmful. If you say having a casino will reduce quality of life. If a large casino is built in Markham, it won't affect the rest of GTA? Toronto would just bear the brunt of the repercussions to help people recuperate from their addiction.
 
I think some of you are really over-estimating the impact a casino could have on our tourist sector. Like the aquarium, it will merely add depth to our tourism product. If you want to know what type of impact it will have, you have to ask yourself this: will people stay an extra night in Toronto solely because of the casino? If you say yes, then you're underestimating just how ubiquitous casinos are.

Now, that isn't to say just adding depth is bad. It can actually be a really good because at some point you create enough depth where visitors feel the need to tack on an additional day to their stay. Overnight stays are the be all and end all of tourism, and if you can lengthen stays then you're going to have much more success. However, adding depth can also be a bad thing. If the quality of the attractions or the "attractiveness" of the attractions (that is to say, is the attraction enticing in content?) is poor than you'll simply be spreading yourself thin (a prime example was the Olympic Spirit). You don't want to spread the destination thin thereby causing all attractions to suffer, nor do you want attractions to close down, as that doesn't look good from a tourist perspective either.
 
taal said:
If I had it my way there wouldn't be a Markham or MCC or Vaughan ... just Toronto :)
Though this is a contested subject, I'm a fan of the extremely large urban core and very small suburban region, particularly in terms of office usage.

I'd love to emulate Chicago and / or Calgary to a certain degree as it fits this model (European cities as well). Calgary is a better example to be honest, Chicago has a lot of suburban use but their downtown is very large compared to the likes of Los Angles and the like.

And with this I'd like to see most / if not all the major attractions downtown (the one and only downtown). I love our Science center but hate the location, no matter what transit gets built to it.

So while I'm not a huge fan of a Casino, if there's going to be one, I'd rather it be downtown.

But alas, Toronto will never be this, given the fact we haven't seen an office building go up North of (hmm, College) and south of Eglinton in ... forever ... too bad ...
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Maybe if corporate taxes were not so high then there would be more business.
 
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