Red Deer Resort & Casino Event Centre under construction. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

two events this month

Red Deer Resort & Casino’s new Event Centre taking bookings as of next week

Feb 9, 2024 | 8:00 AM

The Red Deer Resort & Casino’s new Event Centre will begin to take bookings next week.

While no official opening date has been announced, the Centre will be hosting two events this February: a mixed martial arts championship on Friday, expected to attract 1,400 guests, and an agricultural trade show at the end of the month.

The 26,000-square foot building will be able to hold around 2,000 people, similar to their previous Centre, says Adrian Strawberry, Operations Manager for the hotel.

Jasmine Golisonda, Senior Marketing Supervisor for the hotel, said although they initially planned to open sometime in January, due to construction delays like supply chain issues, the building is not fully finished yet. She says washrooms and access to the hotel from the Centre are complete, but the floor is currently concrete.

Construction began in early Fall, shortly after the demolition of the Bellinis Sonic Lounge and Longriders Saloon nightclubs in the Centre’s current location.

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Strawberry added that the Centre will be fully operational by the end of February, with carpet flooring, completion of the main entrance, and the final touches on the electrical systems.

He says construction will continue in between the two events that could not be postponed due to their reservations’ months prior.

He anticipates the entire Centre to be completed with proper painting, and operational kitchen and elevator, among other aesthetic details, by April, and a paved parking lot in the summer.

What the Event Centre will look like. (Red Deer Resort & Casino website)

As a result, Golisonda confirmed there will likely not be a grand opening ceremony as they did for the Casino.

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While he did not say the cost of the project, he confirmed it has been on budget despite the delays in construction.

Strawberry says the Centre will host music concerts, trade shows, conferences, and other large gatherings.

With the closings of other local event centre spaces over the years like the Black Knight Inn and at the former Red Deer Lodge, Strawberry says the space will be a great addition for the community.

“Everybody’s going to benefit, right from the shopping centres, gas stations, other hotels and their accommodations. It’s just going to be a good fit all the way around, economically, for the entire community and for central Alberta,” he said.

READ: Black Knight Inn tower coming down

“Socially, it’s going to bring everybody together. It’s going to be a great meeting place for all of central Alberta to come and experience their events.”

Find out more on their website.

Side of Red Deer Resort & Casino Event Centre. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

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