By Charles Lefebvre

Casino under new ownership

Dec 19, 2018 | 12:55 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The casino at the Medicine Hat Lodge is officially under new ownership, and will eventually have a new home.

Canalta, Stage West Hospitality and Starks have partnered to purchase the former Casino by Vanshaw, according to an announcement on Wednesday. The release states the purchase of the casino is part of a plan to relocate the casino to the Box Springs Business Park within six years.

“The Casino has a very respected 30-year history in Medicine Hat. We believe this is a great opportunity for us to continue the legacy of giving back while providing growth opportunities in our community,” says owner Albert Stark in a news release.

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The casino will remain in the Medicine Hat Lodge for the time being, and a new name will be announced “in the weeks to come,” according to the release.

In 2017, tensions between the previous owner of the casino and the Medicine Hat Lodge came to a head with the lodge locking the doors to the casino in January, following a dispute over rent payments.

The dispute centered around Elements Entertainment Lounge, which was located inside the casino’s space, but was owned by the hotel.

Applications to relocate the casino were filed with the AGLC last year.

CHAT News has reached out to the ownership group for further comment. We’ve also reached out to the Medicine Hat Lodge.