By Charles Lefebvre

New owners share future plans for casino

Dec 20, 2018 | 3:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The new owner of the Medicine Hat Casino has shared some more information about the future plans for the property.

On Wednesday, an ownership group consisting of local businessman Albert Stark, Canalta and Stage West Hospitality announced they had purchased the former Casino by Vanshaw, and announced they have plans to eventually move it to Box Springs Business Park.

Reached by phone on Thursday, Stark said their goal is to help bring more people to Box Springs.

“I believe it’s going to add population, which is always good,” he said. “It’s going to add some traffic, and it will bring the daily supporters into the park. It’s also going to bring some restaurant business, people will probably stop at Costco, and it’s going to bring more population to Box Springs.”

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The current plan is to build the casino across the street from The Keg and Boston Pizza. Details about what the space will look like have not yet been finalized.

The new casino would open in 2024.

Stark says the new ownership group settled previous litigation involving the former casino and also purchased former owner Kevin Van Der Kooy’s shares in the company.

Stark says the Medicine Hat Casino will stay at its current home in the Medicine Hat Lodge for the next six years, which is the number of years left on its lease. The casino is currently undergoing an re-branding, and the new name will be announced next week.

“We’re heading into a renovation,” he said. “A renovation will be getting underway in January, and we will be having a grand opening January 17, 18, 19.”

In a news release, the new owners say they see the casino as a leading place where people can gather and enjoy themselves. Stark says creating a vibrant atmosphere at the casino will be a focus going forward.

“We’re going to run slot tournaments, there’s things we’re going to try and engage millennials with, there’s a lot of marketing in play we’re starting to implement in January,” he said.

The casino will remain open during renovations, which will be completed in mid-January.