The Cambridge Hotel's events centre may soon be replaced with a casino, according to a recently approved development permit. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Development permit request to demolish nightclubs

Appeal withdrawn for casino relocation due to “significant backlash”

Oct 28, 2022 | 1:41 PM

An appeal made against a development permit replacing the Cambridge Hotel’s conference centre with a casino has been withdrawn.

The development permit will now be issued to the O’Chiese Hospitality Limited Partnership, owners of the Hotel (3310 50 Ave), to move forward with their plans of replacing the event centre with a gaming establishment.

The Partnership submitted an application to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) in April 2022 to relocate the downtown Jackpot Casino (4950 47 Ave) to the Hotel.

READ: Jackpot Casino looking to move to Cambridge Red Deer Hotel and Conference Centre

On May 6, 2022, Edmonton’s IBI Group Architects submitted a development permit application on behalf of the Partnership, requesting a ‘change of use’ of the 33,000 sq. ft. conference centre facility, located on the west portion of the Hotel, into a casino, maintaining the existing structure.

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O’Chiese Hospitality Limited Partnership development permit request made on May 6, 2022 to replace Cambridge Hotel’s event centre with a casino – top view (Development Permit Application p.8)

The interior renovations would transform the area into a gaming floor with slots, video lottery terminals (VLT), poker tables, a bar and lounge, commercial kitchen, 24/7 high stakes poker room, private VIP salon, and a game sense area.

The application states that the property currently has 493 parking stalls with 255 of them supporting the event centre area. They state the casino development would only need 238 stalls as there would be 547 gaming and lounge seats, designating one stall per 2.3 seats, leaving an extra 17 parking stalls available on the property to support the casino.

O’Chiese Hospitality Limited Partnership development permit request made on May 6, 2022 to replace Cambridge Hotel’s event centre with a casino- indoor renovations plan (Development Permit Application p.12)

The City’s Inspections & Licensing Department approved the application on August 30, 2022. Erin Stuart, the City’s General Manager of Development Services, said as the request is regarding the discretionary use of a casino, the next phase in the process was to publicly advertise the decision for 21 days to allow anyone within 100m to appeal by September 20, 2022.

An appeal was made on September 19, 2022 by Edmonton lawyer Janice Agrios of Kennedy Agrios Oshry Law on behalf of a nearby business.

The reasons for the appeal include current onsite parking being inadequate leading to spillover onto surrounding areas, additional traffic to already busy streets, claims there has been no consultation process with area businesses and residents, increased risk of crime, and lack of information on the development’s design.

However, on Monday, October 24, Stuart confirmed Agrios withdrew the appeal, citing reasons of “receiving significant backlash”. The City’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board says copies of withdrawals are not routinely disclosed and therefore require a request for information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Stuart says the City has received a few letters regarding the Jackpot Casino relocation, however, the concerns were not related to planning.

The Partnership will now need to apply for a Building Permit, as well as other required permits, such as safety and electrical, before beginning construction.

The Partnership also recently applied for a development permit to demolish the connecting Bellinis Sonic Lounge and Longriders Saloon, located on the east side of the Hotel. The application has not been made public as it is still being processed.

However, Stuart says as demolishing is a permitted use on the site, no public advertisement is required. She says the department will review what the applicant’s intentions are for the site, which she believes is either for parking or landscaping, and a response is anticipated in the upcoming weeks.

There is no confirmation as to when the nightclubs will be officially closing.

Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre and Bellinis Sonic Lounge/Longriders Saloon. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

The O’Chiese First Nation purchased the Jackpot Casino in 2017 and the Partnership assumed ownership of the Hotel in 2020.

The AGLC said the request to move the casino is in Step 3 of their relocation process which requires the applicant to adhere to all municipal regulations and licensing requirements as well as federal and provincial legislation. The AGLC will then conduct an inspection before issuing a casino license.

rdnewsNOW reached out to the Partnership, who refused to comment, and the nearby business who made the appeal, who did not respond for comment.

READ: Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis hears public opinion on Jackpot Casino relocation