Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is one of the leading casino operators on a national level, a position that calls for professionalism and flexibility. This is true especially in these trying times and it was once again confirmed by the recent announcement of more casino closures. Casino Ajax and Great Blue Heron Casino have officially suspended their daily operation.
This Sunday was an important date for the province of Ontario, as it saw the closure of two popular casino locations. The gambling hotspot in Ajax along with the tribal casino in Port Perry has to close for business indefinitely, due to the constantly changing situation on a provincial level. Great Canadian Gaming Corporation made the announcement ahead of time.
The Great Blue Heron Casino opened in 1997 on the lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN). The site houses more than 500 slot machines, 60 live table games and employs 1100. Widespread and familiar (though often called 'crane'), the largest heron in North America. Often seen standing silently along inland rivers or lakeshores, or flying high overhead, with slow wingbeats, its head hunched back onto its shoulders. Highly adaptable, it thrives around all kinds of waters from subtropical mangrove swamps to desert rivers to the coastline of southern Alaska. At Great Blue Heron Casino, plans are underway to expand the gaming floor and add premier non-gaming amenities including hotel, dining, and multi-purpose entertainment venue. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has chosen a consortium led by a Canadian company to operate a new expanded gaming facility slated for Woodbine Racetrack. In Nova Scotia and New England, adult herons of both sexes averaged 2.23 kg (4.9 lb), while in Oregon, both sexes averaged 2.09 kg (4.6 lb) Thus, great blue herons are roughly twice as heavy as great egrets (Ardea alba), although only slightly taller than them, but they can weigh about half as much as a large goliath heron.
Closures Continue
November 22 saw the closure of both locations, which suspended their operation at 11:59 p.m. EST. It could be recalled that both locations reopened on September 28, following about half a year of lockdown. They originally had to close for business in mid-March. Both announcements align with the health recommendations of Ontario's government aiming to protect individuals hailing from these regions.
The unprecedented situation has taken its toll on the Canadian gambling field and casino operators remain as flexible as possible over this dynamically changing year. Ontario's provincial government recently made it clear that some businesses will have to introduce new restrictions to their operation over the upcoming weeks, in order to protect the health of both their customers and staff. Casino locations are also among these venues.
The casino operator is determined to follow closely all recommendations coming from the government, as the protection of both staff members and casino patrons is of utmost importance. Further restrictions for indoor gatherings are about to make casino operation unsustainable, as the casinos would be unable to amass a substantial gaming revenue. Up until now, casinos in Ontario had to welcome up to 50 patrons at all times.
New Brunswick Affected Too
New Brunswick is another Canadian province that will have to see some changes to its casino operation. Casino New Brunswick overseen by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation will now be allowed to welcome up to 50 patrons at all times, limiting its occupancy. For the time being, no closure is projected. The announcement comes as a result of a direction coming from the New Brunswick provincial government issued on November 19.
Great Blue Heron Casino Expansion &
That venue also relaunched operation on September 28. Earlier this month, the casino operator announced the temporary suspension of gaming operation at Elements Casino Flamboro in Hamilton and Elements Casino Mohawk in Milton. This change came into effect on November 15, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. EST. It was triggered once again by the further limiting of the casino venue's occupancy, making ongoing operation unsustainable.
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation had also been preparing for the official reopening of one of its casino hotspots but there was a change of plans. Casino Woodbine did not return to its daily operation on November 14, as it was previously announced. The venue adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack will remain closed for business until further notice.
Great Blue Heron Casino Expansion Center
The Great Blue Heron Casino opened in 1997 on the lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN). The site houses more than 500 slot machines, 60 live table games and employs 1100. Widespread and familiar (though often called 'crane'), the largest heron in North America. Often seen standing silently along inland rivers or lakeshores, or flying high overhead, with slow wingbeats, its head hunched back onto its shoulders. Highly adaptable, it thrives around all kinds of waters from subtropical mangrove swamps to desert rivers to the coastline of southern Alaska. At Great Blue Heron Casino, plans are underway to expand the gaming floor and add premier non-gaming amenities including hotel, dining, and multi-purpose entertainment venue. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has chosen a consortium led by a Canadian company to operate a new expanded gaming facility slated for Woodbine Racetrack. In Nova Scotia and New England, adult herons of both sexes averaged 2.23 kg (4.9 lb), while in Oregon, both sexes averaged 2.09 kg (4.6 lb) Thus, great blue herons are roughly twice as heavy as great egrets (Ardea alba), although only slightly taller than them, but they can weigh about half as much as a large goliath heron.
Closures Continue
November 22 saw the closure of both locations, which suspended their operation at 11:59 p.m. EST. It could be recalled that both locations reopened on September 28, following about half a year of lockdown. They originally had to close for business in mid-March. Both announcements align with the health recommendations of Ontario's government aiming to protect individuals hailing from these regions.
The unprecedented situation has taken its toll on the Canadian gambling field and casino operators remain as flexible as possible over this dynamically changing year. Ontario's provincial government recently made it clear that some businesses will have to introduce new restrictions to their operation over the upcoming weeks, in order to protect the health of both their customers and staff. Casino locations are also among these venues.
The casino operator is determined to follow closely all recommendations coming from the government, as the protection of both staff members and casino patrons is of utmost importance. Further restrictions for indoor gatherings are about to make casino operation unsustainable, as the casinos would be unable to amass a substantial gaming revenue. Up until now, casinos in Ontario had to welcome up to 50 patrons at all times.
New Brunswick Affected Too
New Brunswick is another Canadian province that will have to see some changes to its casino operation. Casino New Brunswick overseen by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation will now be allowed to welcome up to 50 patrons at all times, limiting its occupancy. For the time being, no closure is projected. The announcement comes as a result of a direction coming from the New Brunswick provincial government issued on November 19.
Great Blue Heron Casino Expansion &
That venue also relaunched operation on September 28. Earlier this month, the casino operator announced the temporary suspension of gaming operation at Elements Casino Flamboro in Hamilton and Elements Casino Mohawk in Milton. This change came into effect on November 15, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. EST. It was triggered once again by the further limiting of the casino venue's occupancy, making ongoing operation unsustainable.
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation had also been preparing for the official reopening of one of its casino hotspots but there was a change of plans. Casino Woodbine did not return to its daily operation on November 14, as it was previously announced. The venue adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack will remain closed for business until further notice.
Great Blue Heron Casino Expansion Center
| Client: | Great Canadian Gaming Corporation |
| Location: | Port Perry, Ontario |
| Sector: | Building |
| Market: | Commercial |
| Delivery: | Construction Management |
Project Description
Construction of a 3,200 sq. m. structural steel addition, to the existing Great Blue Heron Tensile Structure, located at 21777 Island Road, Port Perry, Ontario. The single storey structure is fully sprinklered, fire alarmed and encompasses a gaming floor and a new atrium to suit the development as part of Phase I. The current gaming, food and beverage areas in the existing building, will be repurposed into an entertainment venue, will be part of Phase II.
Great Blue Heron Sound
Phase II is a 4 storey fully sprinklered 6,276 sq.m structure, complete with 116 suites, administration offices, fitness centre, kitchen, lounge and a 4 storey atrium. The covered walkway and Porte Cochere is part of this Phase II, which links the existing casino to the new hotel.
Blue Heron Casino Port Perry
The project has a 12 month construction duration over two phases, including 8 weeks of pre-construction.
