The Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s relationship with the OLG Slots at Dresden Raceway continues to pay dividends for local taxpayers.
In a cheque presentation on Tuesday at Chatham’s Tecumseh Park, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) presented Mayor Randy Hope with a ceremonial cheque for $716,383. The sum is the annual contribution to the municipality from the operation of the OLG Slots at Dresden Raceway for the 2014-15 operating year.
The municipality is placing the funds in general revenues to offset costs of all municipal services provided to the residents of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
“Our municipality’s arrangement with the OLG has been a long, cordial and very productive one,” said Mayor Randy Hope. “This money directly supports the delivery of efficient municipal services to Chatham-Kent residents. On behalf of Municipal Council and our community, I want to thank the OLG’s representatives for their fine contribution to Chatham-Kent.”
“OLG is especially proud of the relationship we’ve built in Chatham-Kent for more than 14 years,” said Jake Pastore, OLG’s Director of Municipal and Community Relations. “Each and every year 100 per cent of OLG proceeds are invested in Ontario. From healthcare, to education, to community festivals, OLG proceeds are hard at work in Chatham-Kent and all across our province. We also appreciate the contribution of our employees at OLG Slots at Dresden Raceway in making life in this community that much richer.”
The cheque represents .55% of the 2015 municipal budget.
OLG Slots at Dresden Raceway, which is operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), has made contributions of more than $8 million to the municipality since the site opened in 2001.
The casino employs more than 80 people and has received over 2.5 million visits since opening.
Submitted photo: Left to right: Pan Am Torchbearer Pearce Plato, OLG Director of Municipal and Community Relations Jake Pastore, Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope, and Pan Am Torchbearer Mark Eastcott at the ceremonial cheque presentation. As OLG is a presenting sponsor of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, the presentation was held in Tecumseh Park, Chatham, concurrent with activities of the Torch Relay community celebration.
