By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

approved by appeal board

New events centre at Red Deer Resort & Casino to go ahead

May 11, 2023 | 4:52 PM

A new events centre at the Red Deer Resort & Casino will indeed be going ahead.

Approval was given this week by the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board, a few weeks after it was denied by the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC), but then appealed by the resort’s owners O’Chiese Business and Investment Centre (OBIC).

Some members of MPC mainly took issue with a proposed parking variance put forth by the applicant, which would see parking stalls be reduced from 773 to 551.

Its decision was contrary to what City administration was recommending.

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OBIC says the centre will be a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose venue capable of hosting a wide range of events, including concerts, conventions, sporting events and trade shows.

It will be located where the now shuttered Bellinis and Longriders pubs are, two buildings which will be demolished beginning this week. This new centre should not be confused with the company’s other endeavour, that being the relocation of Jackpot Casino on the resort’s west side; a project which gained municipal approval last year.

“We are grateful for the support that we have received from the City of Red Deer and the community on the approval of The Red Deer Events Centre,” said Georges Yammine, Chief Executive Officer.

“This is a major milestone for our company and for the city of Red Deer. The events centre will be a key driver of tourism and economic growth in the region, providing a first-class venue for entertainment and events.”

The company also notes the centre will welcome guests prior to this coming winter.

“We have worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition, and we are excited to see it come to life,” said Adrian Strawberry, Hotel Operations Manager. “We look forward to welcoming guests to The Red Deer Events Centre and providing them with an exceptional entertainment experience.”

The events centre will have a seating capacity of 2,000 and a total space of 32,590 square feet.

In a report from the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board, it’s noted that no one spoke in opposition to the appeal at a hearing on April 24, but the board did receive one letter in favour.

It was said during the appeal that while closing the two bars caused the loss of 63 jobs, a new events centre will possibly create more than what was lost.

Aside from the parking variance, the applicant also requested a variance to the minimum required front yard setback, from 15 metres to 6.44 metres, and a variance to onsite landscaping, from 40 to 26 per cent, all of which were approved.

The decision can be appealed to the Court of Appeal on question of law or jurisdiction, under section 688 of the Municipal Government Act, and must be acted upon within 30 days of the decision, which came on May 8, 2023.

The entire appeal board decision can be viewed below…