Innisfil a winner with OLG expansion
by Michelle Minnoch

The Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) has made arrangements with the Ontario Lottery Corporation (OLG) to expand the slot capacity at Georgian Downs with a $30.3 million addition.

Upon completion over the next 18 months, the number of slots at Georgian will increase to 1,000 up from 451. The cost of the machines and equipment, owned by OLG, will cost $45 million.

The Town of Innisfil stands to gain with the expansion, as the town already received five per cent of the revenue from the first 450 slot machines, and two per cent on the remainder. Since Georgian Downs opened in 2001, the town has benefited with a $23 million share in the slot revenue.

Approximately 90 new jobs will be created with the expansion.

"This is very important for our municipality, very exciting," remarked Mayor Brian Jackson. "This will not only bring employment opportunities to our area, but the town will be benefit from the revenue coming in."

He said council will have to re-evaluate their priorities regarding the extra funds the town will be receiving.

The town currently uses revenues from slots at Georgian to fund capital projects and to pay down the debt on the new recreation centre. Mayor Jackson said that this is a big announcement for the community due to the fact more projects around the community will get done.