— Gibb wants to “work something out” with Osoyoos Indian Band —
(OSOYOOS TIMES — September 27, 2006) —
The man bidding for slot machines to revive the Desert Park racetrack says he wants to talk to the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) about joining forces in some way on their gambling proposals for the area.
Rocky Mountain Turf Club CEO Max Gibb says he has extended an opportunity to the Osoyoos Indian Band to talk about doing something together.rnThe move would address the public perception the two groups are competing for a gaming licence from the B.C. Lottery Corporation.
The Rocky Mountain Turf Club and the OIB both have applications in to the B.C. Lottery Corporation for casino licences. RMTC is proposing a licence for 100 slot machines at Desert Park, and to bring back horse racing, while the OIB has been asking the province for a decade for a full-scale destination casino licence to complement its winery, golf course, RV resort and cultural centre in east Osoyoos.
Gibb says he met with Chief Clarence Louie, members of the Band Council and OIB Economic Development Officer Chris Scott earlier this year and will meet with them again within a couple of weeks.
We're interested in visiting and talking with them because I wonder if there are things we can do mutually to benefit both.rnWhile Gibb wouldn't provide details, speculation is that he may propose some form of non-ownership partnership role for the OIB.
He says he also hopes to meet with the BCLC soon.
We're trying to pick up the pace. We'd like to be racing next year. That's our goal. He says he's very optimistic because Osoyoos citizens gave RMTC a strong mandate “ 88 per cent in favour “ in the June plebiscite. And he points out many residents in the rural community have written and made calls asking what they can do to help.
Meanwhile, OIB Development Corporation CFO Brian Titus says although Gibb has expressed an open invitation to work together, the two gaming applications have different focuses.
Last time we met, we told him to go ahead with his application and we would still be doing ours.
He adds the band has a long history of trying to acquire its gaming licence from the province and he doesn't expect an answer from the BCLC soon. Titus says the band is working on a proposal with a group which has experience in gaming in B.C., but he wouldn't comment further on the proposal or name the group.
Gibb explains he wants to hear what the OIB has to say.
I told them I have a great appreciation for them. They are dear to my heart and I would really like it if we could work something out.
