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Niagara Area Bets on New Casino

NEW YORK – As reported by the Buffalo Business First: "The opening of the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, set for June 10, will have long-ranging impact on the tourism and hospitality trades in both Southern Ontario and the Buffalo Niagara region.

"The June date was picked to help kick start a tourism industry that is still reeling from a wave of events that some have called 'the perfect storm' and ultimately caused a significant drop last year in the number of visitors who came into the region, especially Southern Ontario.

"…Built in the Fallsview district of Niagara Falls, Ont., the casino complex offers dramatic views of both the Horseshoe and American Falls. At the heart of the complex is more than 200,000 square feet of gaming space, including 3,000 slot machines and 150 gaming tables.

"The property also includes a 368-room Hyatt hotel, a three-level, 125,000-square-foot retail complex, a 50,000-square-foot conference and meeting center and a 1,600-seat performing arts center.

"…The complex is being developed by Falls Management Co., who was selected by OLGC to build, manage and operate the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and its companion, Casino Niagara.

"With the $1 billion price tag, the casino is the largest, current private-sector development in Canada.

"…'It is a very welcome jump start to the season,' said Noel Buckley, Niagara Tourism president. 'It's not every day that someone opens a $1 billion investment in your backyard.'

"…The Niagara region's hospitality trade was devastated by a series of events, none of which it could have foreseen or prevented, including concerns related to the SARS outbreak, less international travelers because of the U.S.-Iraqi war and a cold, wet summer.

"…Larry Lewin, Hyatt Gaming Services president and chief executive officer, said the presence of both Casino Niagara and the Niagara Fallsview Casino will not only help the Niagara region's tourism base, but will create a significant ripple effect on both sides of the Niagara River…"

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