Rejection of VLT lounge greeted by area residents
People who live in the area where Horse Racing New Brunswick hoped to set up a video-lottery lounge are happy after Fredericton city council stopped the plan.
A zoning amendment that was needed to allow the project to proceed on Aberdeen Street was unanimously rejected in a vote of councillors.
"Just very happy, it was the right decision," said Dianne Wilkins.
"I think city council showed some common sense," said Wilfred Allison. "They did the right thing."
At a council meeting two weeks earlier, councillors listened to people speaking about the proposal. Those opposed outnumbered those in favour by a 2-to-1 margin.
Dorothy Fraser praised those who spoke at that meeting.
"Very happy with the results," she said. "I think council, the people who spoke against the amendment, spoke very well.
"They obviously had done their homework."
Resident Ron Steeves said it was "the proper decision."
"The preponderance of evidence showed the community was not supportive, and thankfully council saw their way fit to follow the advice of the community."
"I'm glad that council stayed within the objectives and policies and purposes of the [municipal] plan. I'm relieved, to be honest. " Aloke Chatterje.
No reaction from HRNB
Horse Racing New Brunswick has not reacted to Monday's city council vote.
The group already runs Winner's Lounge next to Fredericton Raceway on the Fredericton Exhibition grounds. It offers off-track betting, and 25 video-lottery terminals owned by Atlantic Lottery Corp.
Court documents indicate the horse racing organization takes in about $350,000 as its share of the proceeds from the VLTs.
Horse Racing New Brunswick's bid to establish another video-lottery location in the city's downtown comes on the heels of a landlord-tenant dispute with Fredericton Exhibition Ltd.
In May, Horse Racing New Brunswick was locked out of Winner's Lounge and its offices in the same building by Fredericton Exhibition Ltd., which maintained the group had violated terms of its lease.
Horse Racing New Brunswick obtained a court injunction to regain access to Winner's and its offices for the balance of the existing lease.
The current lease expires Dec. 31, 2016.
