Red Deer
Red Deer Resort & Casino Unveils Its New Casino, the Grandest in Central Alberta
The new casino location offers a first-of-its-kind gaming experience in central Alberta
You may remember it as the Capri. Then it briefly joined the Sheraton brand. More recently it was known as the Cambridge. Over the last few years Central Albertans have become accustomed to the largest hotel complex in the city changing it’s name regularly.
It would seem those days are over. When the O’Chiese First Nation purchased the Cambridge in the summer of 2021, they definitely had long term plans in mind. Over the last month those plans have become visibly obvious as the Red Deer landmark has taken on significant structural changes which will alter the view of the hotel at the intersection of Gaetz and 30th for decades to come.
Even more significant changes have taken place inside as September 2023 marked the Grand Opening of Red Deer Resort and Casino.
“The completion of the casino is a major milestone for us and the City of Red Deer,” said George Yammine, CEO, O’Chiese Business and Investment Center, the owners of Red Deer Resort & Casino. “The casino will be a key driver of tourism and economic growth in the region, becoming a hub for entertainment for the region and beyond.”
The expansion of the casino and upgrades to the hotel are expected to increase employment by up to 20 per cent with an increased need for dealers, servers and housekeeping professionals.
The casino will serve as a major entertainment destination for residents and tourists alike. Located in the heart of Downtown Red Deer, it will offer a wide range of gaming options such as slot machines, table games, poker room, dining rooms and bar and more. The casino is expected to become a hub for entertainment, attracting visitors from all over the region and beyond.
The casino’s design also respects the cultural heritage of the O’Chiese First Nation. The sunrises over the Alberta prairies and the sunsets over the Rocky Mountains inspired the design for the casino space. An integrated waterfall symbolizes shared values of a deep connection to nature, ancestral lands, and the spiritual importance of water. With more than 38,000 square feet of play space, the casino’s design highlights the region’s beautiful landscape.
Red Deer Resort & Casino is expected to significantly contribute to community investment through its hotel and casino operations and create numerous employment opportunities for the city.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to Red Deer Resort & Casino and providing them with a world class entertainment experience,” said Adrian Strawberry, Hotel Operations Manager, O’Chiese Hospitality. “We have worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition and we cannot wait for you to experience it.”
The next massive project will take place on the north side of Red Deer Resort and Casino where the former dance bars have been demolished to make room for a new exhibition hall featuring space for 2,000 visitors.
The Red Deer Resort & Casino features 241 unique guestrooms, 15 modern meeting rooms, a sprawling conference centre covering 53,000 square feet.
For more information, please visit www.reddeerresortandcasino.ca.
Community
First Battle of Alberta this NHL season to bring big boost to Child Advocacy Centre!
From the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre
The Edmonton Oilers MEGA 50/50 is BACK in support of three amazing organizations
By purchasing your Oilers MEGA 50/50 tickets today, you’re helping to support the CACAC, along with Little Warriors and Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre .
Purchase before 1PM to be eligible for all 4 early bird prizes, including a $500 Esso card, 2 PCL Loge Arkells tickets for November 1, $1000 for Alberta Beef, and $10,000 CASH!
Early Bird draws!
Buy before 1:00 for $500 Esso card
Buy before 7:00 for 2 PCL Loge Arkells tickes
Buy before 7:30 for $1,000 Alberta Beef
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THANK YOU EDMONTON OILERS!
Addictions
Province expanding recovery support in Red Deer
In Red Deer, Alberta’s government is increasing access to recovery-oriented care by launching several new initiatives within the community.
Alberta’s government has built a system of care based on the belief that recovery is possible for those suffering from the disease of addiction. The focus has been on reducing barriers to recovery by increasing capacity and ensuring that no one is forced to pay for life-saving addiction treatment. Since 2019, the province has added more than 10,000 new addiction treatment spaces. It has also removed financial barriers and pioneered a program for immediate, same-day access to life-saving evidence-based treatment medication.
Red Deer is home to Alberta’s first of 11 recovery communities being built by the province. This facility opened its doors in May 2023 and has become a beacon of hope for those suffering from addiction, along with their families. Red Deer was also the first in Alberta to open a Therapeutic Living Unit within its correctional center. This means the recovery community model of treatment has been adopted in corrections, lowering the chances of reoffending and breaking the cycle of addiction and crime in individuals’ lives. Access to opioid agonist therapy has been expanded to police cells through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program and can also be administered by specialized paramedics with support from the province.
Earlier this year, Red Deer city council put forward and passed a motion requesting a transition of the drug consumption site to instead implement options focused on health, wellness and recovery.
In response to this request, Alberta’s government has committed $3.4 million to provide the following:
- A Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic operated by Recovery Alberta, located in the homeless shelter parking lot. This will offer screening, diagnosis and referral to services; access to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program; and education, naloxone kits and needle exchange.
- A Dynamic Overdose Response Team of paramedics and licensed practical nurses to monitor a designated area of the Safe Harbour shelter facility, as well as the surrounding block.
- Recovery coaches in and around the homeless shelter to provide outreach services and help guide individuals along the path of recovery.
- Enhancements to medically supported detox capacity in partnership with Safe Harbour that will help more people safely withdraw from substances so they can continue their pursuit of recovery.
In addition, Alberta’s government recently provided more than $1.2 million over the next two years to the Red Deer Dream Centre to support 20 additional publicly funded addiction treatment beds.
“Our government will always listen to and take seriously the feedback we receive from elected local leaders. This is a well-thought-out plan that aligns with Red Deer’s needs and requests, which is why the province is making these changes and increasing support for the community. We remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of Albertans while actively supporting connections to treatment and recovery.”
“Our council is pleased to see this new path forward for recovery-oriented services in Red Deer. At the heart of our council’s and community’s efforts is the belief that recovery is possible for everyone, especially the most vulnerable. This is a complex challenge and only by working with all our partners at the province, agencies, businesses, faith communities and all Red Deerians will we create a safe, healthy and prosperous community. We look forward to close collaboration with the province as these changes are made.”
Alberta’s government is working closely with the City of Red Deer, Safe Harbour Society, Recovery Alberta and others to implement these supports starting this fall.
Since October 2018, the Red Deer drug consumption site has been operating at a temporary site within an ATCO trailer in the parking lot next to Safe Harbour Society’s detox building. As requested by the city council, the drug consumption site will be transitioned out of Red Deer once all other services are operational, which is anticipated to be in spring 2025. The program expansion for recovery services represents a net increase in programming and staffing.
“We look forward to bringing a new service to Red Deer with the opening of a Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic. With this and the new outreach services being put in place, Recovery Alberta will provide opportunities for those facing addiction and mental health issues to access support on an ongoing basis.”
“I am pleased to see that Alberta’s government is working collaboratively with our local government and service providers. This plan ensures we prioritize Red Deer’s needs while also supporting individuals in their pursuit of recovery.”
“Red Deer is a beautiful community with wonderful families and individuals. Transitioning the drug site out of Red Deer and focusing on recovery is the right thing to do. Thank you to the Government of Alberta and Red Deer City Council for leading, listening and doing what is right.”
“We are pleased to partner with Alberta’s government, Recovery Alberta and the City of Red Deer to increase access to addiction and detox services for those accessing supports at Safe Harbour. This partnership profoundly enhances our capacity to meet the needs of community members challenged by addiction and to support them in their recovery journey.”
Alberta is making record investments and removing barriers to recovery-oriented supports for all Albertans, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. This includes the addition of more than 10,000 new publicly funded addiction treatment spaces, expanded access to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program—which provides same-day access to life-saving treatment medication—the removal of daily user fees for publicly funded live-in treatment, and the construction of 11 world-class recovery communities.
Quick facts
- Albertans struggling with opioid addiction can contact the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP) by calling 1-844-383-7688, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to midnight. VODP provides same-day access to addiction medicine specialists. There is no wait list.
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