Connect Centre | 56.3m | 16s | ONE Properties | DIALOG

What do you think of this project?


  • Total voters
    57
I am indeed aware, so I’ll piggyback on what I already said. There is already a movie theatre a block away, there is concerts/comedians and other endless entertainment streaming through Rogers Place, the plaza is going to have an ice rink in winter and other live entertainment in warmer months, The Canadian Ice House is going to have a batting cage on the rooftop patio, Banquet is going to have bowling lanes and other games and Home and Away bar is going to have a bunch of games. I think those are some pretty robust options and have no doubt entertainment will continue to expand around the district once it is finally up and running and animated with people.
And all that is in Phase 1 with Phase 2 and ECC redevelopment on the horizon.
 
Grand Villa Casino is still closed when I drove by today.

1646510809377.png
 
Grand Villa Casino is still closed when I drove by today.

View attachment 383459
At some point temporary becomes permanent, whether it is admitted or not.

So what happens on the magic date of Dec. 16, 2022, is there announcement that the closure is permanent, or do they even bother?

Oh, just get it over with and don't string everyone along - if it is not coming back soon at this point, it likely never is.
 
How many places do people want for entertainment that everyone is so worried about banks going in? Off the top of my head in that area already there is Kindred, Baijiu, Alchemy, Braven, Joeys, Canadian Ice House, Boston Pizza, Deluxe Burger Bar, Banquet, Home and Away Bar, Marriott Lobby Bar and all the other bars/restaurants on 103 and 104 St. If an absence of entertainment is your concern, dare I suggest you are just not looking hard enough?
Oh, perhaps it should have been named the restaurant, bar and bank district, but that's not as catchy as calling it the Entertainment District.

It was great marketing at the time, but the problem is you get hoisted on your own petard when you don't meet expectations. So, a lot was pinned on getting the movie theater and when that fell through it unraveled a bit.

The developer and owners will be ok with banks and a grocery store to fill in the gaps, but as much as you try you can't spin them as being entertainment without looking a bit ridiculous. So basically a marketing failure.
 
Actually, it may reopen for three reasons all having to do with the plethora of banks in the Ice District. Reason #1 He accidentally pressed $100 instead of the $20 for fast cash at the ATM and had no use for the additional $80 so he thought he would visit the casino; Reason #2 She was turned down at all three banks for a business loan and she eyed the casino as a "lender of last resort"; Reason #3 the bank clerk had nothing better to do since there were no customers so she decided to "kill" the day at the casino. (Don't laugh -- these people exist)
 
You’re out celebrating your 19th birthday. You and your friends are drunk. You happen to look to the right and see the bright casino lights. A light ever so dim lights in your brain. “Let’s go hit the casino boys!!”.
Lol!! It’s funny because this is exactly how it happens.

In fact, I was in Calgary a few weeks back with some friends to celebrate a friend moving out to Van. After dinner, first thing “Boys, lets hit the casino.”
 
There are enough social problems downtown already, so it could be a good thing if the casino is gone permanently. Leave that problem for the more suburban areas.

As for all the banks, I suppose it is at least better than having a lot more payday loan companies all over the place.
 

Back
Top