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Red Deer

Red Deer Resort & Casino Unveils Its New Casino, the Grandest in Central Alberta

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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.

From the newly designed white brick exterior to an entire makeover of the tower, the exterior of Red Deer Resort and Casino offers an exciting new look

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.

 

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Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

Alleged Human Traffickers arrested in Red Deer, Montreal, and Edmonton

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Human trafficking suspect arrested in Red Deer, July 2024

From Alert, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

Three human traffickers arrested in Project Endgame

Three men have been arrested and stand accused of running a human trafficking operation that stretched across Canada; operating throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.

Project Endgame was a year-long investigation led by ALERT’s Human Trafficking unit, and also relied on the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service, RCMP, and the Quebec joint forces Anti-Pimping team known as EILP.

Arrests and search warrants had taken place in Edmonton, Montreal, and Red Deer. A total of 23 charges related to human trafficking offences have been laid against Clyde Elien-Abbot, 31, Kevin Dorcelus-Cetoute, 31, and Jean Rodnil Dubois, 31. Elien-Abbot was arrested on January 31, 2025 in Edmonton, while the other two accused were arrested on July 23, 2024.

“Project Endgame exhausted all resources and avenues to bring charges against the suspects and end this cycle of sexualized violence and degradation,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Hayes, ALERT.

A number of human trafficking victims were located and provided resources and assistance through ALERT’s Safety Network Coordinators. ALERT believes there are additional victims and encouraging them to contact police.

Project Endgame revealed a cross-Canada network of sex trafficking that has been in operation for over a decade by the accused and possibly others. ALERT’s investigation saw the perpetrators work in the communities of Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Cold Lake, and Estevan, Sask.

The perpetrators allegedly controlled the victims through coercion by forcing them to perform multiple sex acts on multiple clients every day. If the victims question the traffickers or dispute the situation, they were often violently assaulted, degraded, and/or threatened of further loss, violence, and isolation.

Project Endgame began in May 2023 following a 911 call placed to police detailing a sex worker being violently assaulted. The investigation has connections to a 2021 ALERT human trafficking investigation in which Dorcelus-Cetoute was charged.

Clyde Elien-Abbot, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services;
  • Advertising sexual services;
  • Money laundering; and
  • Animal cruelty.
Kevin Dorcelus-Cetoute, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Sexual assault;
  • Assault;
  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services; and
  • Uttering threats.
Jean Rodnil Dubois, 31-year-old from Montreal, is charged with:

  • Sexual assault;
  • Assault;
  • Trafficking in persons;
  • Procuring;
  • Material benefit from sexual services; and
  • Uttering threats.
Elien-Abbot remains in custody and has a bail hearing scheduled for February 19, 2025. Dorcelus-Cetoute and Dubois were both released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court on March 7, 2025.

Project Endgame involved the assistance of a number of agencies from across the country, including: Edmonton Police Service, City of Edmonton Animal Bylaw, Service de Police de a Ville de Montreal (SPVM), RCMP ‘C’ Division, RCMP ‘K’ Division, and RCMP ‘D’ Division.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

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Peavey Mart Centrium

Westerner Park Reflects on the Impact of Peavey Mart’s Closure

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Westerner Park acknowledges the recent announcement of Peavey Mart closing all its locations across Canada, and the significant impact this will have on our community.

Peavey Mart has been the naming sponsor of the Centrium since 2021, a partnership that has helped create lasting memories for thousands of Central Albertans. Their support extended beyond their name on the building—Peavey Mart embraced our community by participating in activities during Westerner Days and supplying essential items that brought these events to life.

“Our partnership with Peavey Mart exemplifies the kind of meaningful relationships that can have a lasting impact,” said Shelly Flint, CEO of Westerner Park. “While their closure is undoubtedly a loss for the community, we are grateful for the support they’ve provided over the years and remain committed to finding the right partnerships to continue serving Central Alberta.”

As Westerner Park navigates this transition, the organization remains as a hub of Central Alberta. This includes not only hosting more events and attractions on the park but also finding new ways to connect with the community. “Whether it’s collaborating on events outside of our grounds or encouraging our team to participate in local initiatives as volunteers, our focus remains on strengthening our ties with the people and organizations that make this region so vibrant,” Flint added.

Westerner Park is actively seeking businesses and organizations that share a vision of fostering growth and connection within the community. Any parties interested in exploring partnership opportunities are encouraged to reach out.


ABOUT WESTERNER PARK

Westerner Park is Central Alberta’s largest tradeshow, agricultural, sports, entertainment, and convention facility. A not-for-profit organization and agricultural society, Westerner Park typically generates $150 million annually in economic activity, hosting over 1,000 events and 1.5 million visitors each year.

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