We’re just a day away from the opening of Cascades Casino North Bay.
The $41 million facility opens at 5 pm Wednesday.
Rob Mitchell, Director of Communications & Public Affairs at Gateway Casinos, says they’re all about entertainment.
“You don’t need to be a gamer to come here to have a good time,” he says. “Of course, gambling is a huge attraction, it’s a big part of our business but it is not exclusively our business. We are about entertainment, we are about fine dining, we are about that nightclub experience, about watching sports, about watching live entertainment, live bands.”
Mitchell says there are 300 slot machines on the casino floor, ten electronic table games, six live tables, roulette and blackjack.
There’s also the Summit Bar on the gaming floor along with food service and complimentary beverage stations.
Once in the front doors, guest services and the gaming floor is to the right with the Match Eatery and Pub to the left.
“We offer a very progressive, modern higher-end pub-style menu,” says Steve Strom, head chef. “We do about 85 percent all-scratch cooking in the kitchen, all of our sauces, most of our proteins.”
On top of construction and the jobs created by the facility, Mitchell says they’re contributing to the local economy in a number of ways.
“We’re basically sourcing about 75-80 percent of everything that we’ve got, in terms of food and beverage, locally,” he says. “We’ve got contractors that provide snow removal services, landscaping and still we’re hiring.”
Construction began on the gaming and entertainment centre in late May 2019 with a COVID-related pause.
“It didn’t exactly come off as scheduled because of the interruption of the pandemic but everyone was wonderfully supportive,” Mitchell says. “I can’t say enough positive things about the people of North Bay and a shout out to the Chamber of Commerce, mayor, council and city staff. Everyone has made us feel very welcome.”
Mitchell says they’ll be open seven days a week until 2 am on weekdays and 4 am on the weekend.
