Rama casino back on its feet

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The three partners in the delayed Rama casino resort project signed an operating agreement that will see construction resume immediately, Chief Lorraine McRae of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation announced on March 19. The interim facility near Orillia, Ont., should be ready for opening day in July.

The First Nation came to an agreement on March 8 with the Ontario Casino Corporation, the provincial government's regulatory body, and Carnival Hotels and Casinos, which has contracted to operate the facilities.

"It is great to be back on track so that everyone will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of this important project," McRae said.

"Construction will resume immediately and we expect that more than 700 people will be working on the site between now and the July opening," said Carnival president Robert J. Sturges. "We're proceeding full speed ahead with the hiring process and in early April expect to issue offers of employment to 2,100 staff, who will begin work in June."

Construction was unilaterally halted by the Ontario government on Feb. 9, when Mike Harris's Progressive Conservative government insisted that three conditions be met for the project to go ahead. The tripartite business agreement satisfies one of those requirements.