The confetti was flying, Bryan Adams performed a sold-out concert, dignitaries gathered: The brand new $500 million Pickering Casino Resort opened Wednesday night with great fanfare.
Great Canadian Entertainment CEO Matthew Anfinson declared the resort officially opened.
After remarks from dignitaries and acknowledgement of the 1,100 members of the Pickering Casino Resort team, Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe did the countdown, followed by Anfinson pressing a large red button with confetti raining down on everyone. Following a dinner reception, Adams took the stage and performed to a sold-out crowd of 2,500 in The Arena. Adams called out three Blue Jays players in attendance – Daulton Varsho, Danny Jansen, and Brandon Belt, who’d presented him with an “Adams 23” Blue Jays jersey prior to the show.
There was also a presentation of a $50,000 donation from Pickering Casino Resort to Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation.
The Pickering resort features a 96,000-square-foot casino with more than 2,000 slot machines, 90 table games, and a Great Canadian Sportsbook, a 275-room hotel that includes a wellness center with wave pool, sauna, and fitness facility, nine dining venues, and a dedicated lounge where fans can watch their favorite teams.
Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy and OLG president and CEO Duncan Hannay were also on hand.
Great Canadian Entertainment operates 25 gaming, entertainment, and hospitality facilities in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
The company’s new Great Canadian Toronto Casino Resort project is scheduled to open this summer near Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Once complete, that project will include a 400-room hotel, 5,000-seat entertainment venue, and multiple restaurant and beverage venues.
