October 31, 2008

SOUTHWESTERN REGION CASINO SITE REPORT RELEASED: CHOMIAK, EVANS– – –
Committee Recommends Site North of Brandon As Best to Maximize Economic Benefits


The committee established to identify the best location for a new casino in southwest Manitoba has recommended a site just north of Brandon, Attorney General Dave Chomiak, minister responsible for the Gaming Control Act, and Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), announced today.

“This site is the best location to capture the market potential of this region,” Chomiak said. “It will create opportunities for economic development for the benefit of all Manitoba First Nations. As a significant entertainment attraction, it will also create economic spinoffs for the entire region.”

The site is located in the Rural Municipality of Elton, north of the Trans-Canada Highway and on the west side of PTH 10. It was proposed by a group comprised of the Keeseekoowenin First Nation, Rolling River First Nation and Waywayseecappo First Nation.

The selection of this recommendation stems from a process launched by the AMC and the province following a market study done in 2007. In response to a request for expressions of interest issued in June 2008, four proposals were submitted by First Nation site sponsors.

“The site selection committee was mandated to identify a site that will provide the most benefits for all 64 of the First Nations in Manitoba,” said Evans. “This was not an easy job to do and we commend the members of the committees for their unwavering commitment to the site selection process.”

The casino will be planned and developed under a separate process led by the AMC and will be operated on behalf of all Manitoba First Nations. The land where the new casino will be built will be converted to reserve status. The casino will operate under the same regulatory and operational framework that applies to South Beach and Aseneskak casinos.

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NOTE: The committee’s report, the 2007 Market Study and other background material are available on the AMC website at www.manitobachiefs.com/ and the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission website at www.mgcc.mb.ca.


The Government of Manitoba is distributing this news release on behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Government of Manitoba.