Casino Rama reopens after 16 month closure
Casino Rama employees welcomed back gamblers for the first time in 16 months.
"Thursday is the day, and we couldn't be any happier," said Rob Mitchell, director of communications at Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited.
"It's almost like a homecoming both for our guests and our employees," Mitchell added.
The casino reopened its doors Thursday with enhanced safety measures in place.
Upon arrival, guests will have to fill out a contact tracing form and are required to wear a face mask and remain socially distanced from others.
Plexiglass has been installed on tables and some slots to maintain safety measures for employees and customers.
"For those who may be familiar with six spots on a Black Jack table, to make sure we get the plexiglass in between, we are often dealing to three, maybe four, positions, and the dealers will have plexiglass in front of them," said Glenn Trickey, vice president of gaming operations.
Poker tables remain off-limits because of the close-proximity of players.
Trickey said they have a target date of Aug. 19 to reopen the property's hotel. "Which will then introduce the Weirs Restaurant for breakfast and then hopefully in the fall, if regulations allow, reintroduce concerts sometime later in the fall."
According to Mitchell, the lengthy closure during the pandemic allowed Gateway Casinos to "take a look at the gaming floor."
Crews moved machines and tables to optimize space and lessen the amount of congestion in the casino.
"It's much more accessible now. It's easier to navigate the floor to access amenities," Mitchell said. "We have a very, very diverse variety of play that our patrons can enjoy, so we are quite please with the refurbishment."
The casino will limit capacity to 1,000 people to ensure social distancing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.