Band seeks casino expansion

CALGARY – The Tsuu T’ina Nation is placing all bets on an expansion of its Grey Eagle Casino.

Owners of the profitable $40-million casino and bingo parlour are hoping to add more slots and another restaurant.

The tribe has filed an application with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.

The expansion would see the casino’s gaming floor add more slots by growing by 1,300 square feet or 3.6 per cent.

Another restaurant would add 7,800 square feet or an addition of 10.4 per cent.

The expansion application plan will be revealed at a public meeting Thursday night.

But not everyone is happy about the news.

Neighbouring communities have known about the band’s long-range plans to build a hotel.

On Thursday, they’ll see a much smaller step forward, but increased tra c remains a concern.

“This is a much smaller scale expansion, but even so there really isn’t very good access in and out of that facility,” said Duncan Kent, president of the Lakeview Community Association.

“They want commercial development there and clearly the access for now is marginal, at best. It’s getting more and more strained; there needs to be a longer-term plan,” Kent said.

“From our perspective, it would be ideal if the AGLC said, ‘Nice plan, but let’s get this ring road sorted first.’ ”