No plans to move casino, chief says
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/01/2019 (2553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The chief of Swan Lake First Nation says she has every intention of keeping Sand Hills Casino where it is after learning that an online survey had been issued this week asking respondents for their thoughts on relocating the gaming establishment.
The survey, a copy of which was obtained by The Brandon Sun on Monday, posed a number of questions on relocating the Sand Hills Casino, including how respondents’ visitation and gambling budgets would change at both Sand Hills and other casinos.
One line in the survey read: “In addition to relocating, Sand Hills is also interested in improving both your gaming and non-gaming experience and is considering bringing new facilities to the new location.”
The survey did not specify where the new location would be.
Swan Lake First Nation Chief Francine Meeches said she didn’t know that anyone had done a survey and that she has no intention of moving the casino elsewhere.
“I was not aware of it, so at this time, (I’m) just contacting certain individuals and trying to get the background and history of all this,” Meeches said.
“I don’t know who initiated all this. I was told certain individuals, but I don’t know. I don’t even have answers … I don’t know what has transpired over the last while and why it’s even happening. I wish I knew.”
Sand Hills Casino is located south of Carberry on Swan Lake First Nation land, just off Highway 5. The casino opened in June 2014 and has posted financial losses in its first two fiscal years.
In 2017, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs launched a $868-million lawsuit against the provincial government over Sand Hills and the Winnipeg-based Shark Club. The matter is still before the courts.
Questions as to whether the casino would move to Brandon sparked a discussion on the online forum eBrandon.
Brandon residents have previously voted down the idea of a First Nations casino in two plebiscites, in 2002 and 2008.
The City of Brandon’s director of economic development, Sandy Trudel, was out of the office Tuesday, but confirmed through a city spokesperson that she was not aware of the survey or of a possible relocation of the casino.
The Sun was unable to reach Sand Hills Casino director of operations Jeff Melcosky for comment.
Meanwhile, Meeches stressed that a lot has been invested in Sand Hills.
“As far as I know, nothing is happening,” she said.
The survey also included questions that asked respondents how often they visit Sand Hills and what other casinos they’ve been to.
» mlee@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @mtaylorlee