Prince George’s Treasure Cove Casino is expanding its show lounge by 800 seats

Prince George city council is supporting expansion to the Treasure Cove Casino.

The casino is seeking a new license from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to increase the occupancy load and licensed area for alcohol service.

“The show lounge has a current occupancy of 200 persons with a proposed expansion to total 1,000,” explained Steven Leach, Treasure Cove Casino consultant at Monday's (Sept. 9) city council meeting. “With an 800-person increase in occupancy load will be accommodated by a new 1152 sq. m. addition to the Treasure Cove Show Lounge and will expand the liquor license service area.”

The LCRB requires local governments to review the application, gather the views of residents that will be affected by the proposal, and pass a resolution on the application.

Once council reviews this application, the resolution will be forwarded to the LCRB.

The total occupancy for the casino café and show lounge will increase to 2,016 persons.

“The primary purpose of this expansion is to provide a large entertainment venue for patrons by increasing seating capacity in the new space,” said Leach. “It will offer opportunities for larger entertainment shows in addition to space for mid-size to large conferences, trade shows, and business meetings for patrons of the casino, adjoining hotel and associations and companies from across British Columbia.”

He said the current hours of operation will not change with the expansion, and the sale and consumption of liquor is strictly monitored for security and surveillance departments.

“This is another venue in Prince George for entertainment,” said Coun. Kyle Sampson. “They are expanding on what they are currently offering which is a lot and they are going to be offering more in a larger space.”

Coun. Brian Skakun also supported the expansion, adding it would help draw more people to the community.

“I think it’s not only going to increase the amount of entertainment there but the amount of people that come to Prince George, stay in the casino, and go shopping in our malls and downtown.”

The recommendations associated with the casino’s liquor license application were all unanimously approved by council.