Agreements pave way for Swift Current casino development

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Plans to build a new casino in Swift Current have cleared another hurdle, thanks to two agreements signed by the City of Swift Current and Nekaneet First Nation.

The two parties signed a municipal services agreement and a casino lease approval on April 18.

The proposed casino will be the sixth in the province managed by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Commission (SIGA). The provincial government gave its approval to the proposed casino in October 2004.

Plans call for construction of a casino, a 200-room hotel and a 700-seat performing arts centre. The development has an estimated price tag of $22.7 million.

"The signing of the municipal services agreement between the City of Swift Current and the Nekaneet First Nation is both historic and significant," said Dean Bellegarde, chair of the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council, which is handling negotiations aimed at having the casino's future home designated as an urban reserve. "With the approval of the casino lease we can now turn our attention to the next stage of this project, which will be developing a plan that meets the needs of the community."

"When completed, this multi-million dollar project will create employment for about 200 people in this community," said acting president and CEO of SIGA Zane Hansen.

The new casino is expected to be open for business early in 2008.