River Rock Casino Resort
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| River Rock Casino Resort | |
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| Facts and statistics | |
|---|---|
| Address | 8811 River Road Richmond, BC V6X 3P8 |
| Opening date | 25 June 2004 |
| Previous names | None |
| Casino type | Land-Based |
| Theme | West Coast rainforest |
| Owner | Great Canadian Gaming |
| No. of rooms | 220 |
| Total gaming space | 70,000 ft² (6503 m²) |
| Permanent shows | None |
| Signature attractions | River Rock Show Theatre |
| Notable restaurants | Runway 26 Buffet, Fireside Lounge |
| Years renovated | None |
| Website | http://www.riverrock.com/ |
River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, British Columbia is the largest casino in the province of British Columbia.[1] The casino is owned by Great Canadian Gaming. In addition to its 222 rooms, lodging space is available at the 144-berth marina.
The casino has 10,000 visitors per day on average and generated an annual revenue of $244 million as of August 2006.[2]
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[edit] History
The casino was built on the site of the former Bridgepoint Market in Richmond. It first opened to the public on 25 June 2004.
Several variances were needed from the City of Richmond to allow it to open with service that customers expect. This included a modification of its liquor license and operating license to allow liquor to be consumed in the casino's theatre. [3]
Hosted the British Columbia Poker Championships in November 2005, 2006 and 2007. The premier event of the Johnny Chan Poker Championship was also held in 2007.
The 2006 Gemini Awards were presented at the River Rock Casino Resort, marking the ceremonies' West Coast debut; the event is normally held in Toronto.[4] [5]
[edit] Transportation
Bus service, operated by TransLink, is provided via bus routes within walking distance of the casino. The bus rapid transit 98 B-Line's Sea Island Way stop is also close to the casino.
The casino is located about five minutes from Vancouver International Airport, on Richmond's Sea Island. It is also near Highway 99, the main highway connecting Vancouver to the southern suburbs.
In 2009, the casino will be served by the rapid transit Canada Line; the line's Bridgeport Station will be located across from the casino.
The casino also plans to build a 1,200 parking space complex for casino patrons and for park-and-ride transit use. [6] The 1,200 stall parkade will cost $33 million to build. Translink (the Canada Line Operator) will give the Great Canadian Casino Corporation land worth $9.5 million, and $4.5 million in cash in return for building the park-and-ride facility. Transit uses will be charged $2 to use the facility.[7]
[edit] River Rock Casino and the film industry
Because the Vancouver area has a big film industry, River Rock has played host to various productions looking for casino filming locations. While this is generally well received, there have been some unfortunate incidents. On 8 November 2006, three photographers made their way onto a closed section of the hotel's balcony intending to photograph actress Denise Richards during filming of the movie Blonde and Blonder. In an ensuing argument, she allegedly threw a laptop computer belonging to one photographer off the balcony, striking the arm of an elderly lady in a wheelchair. [8] [9]
The casino was also prominently featured in the Psych episode entitled "Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Piece."
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ BUSINESS - Court Suspends Golf Course Sale
- ^ News Error | myTELUS
- ^ canada.com
- ^ CKNW News Talk 980 - CKNWAM
- ^ canada.com
- ^ Richmond News - Canada Line drives massive development - May 08, 2007.
- ^ Richmond News - Casino gets 'sweet deal' from TransLink - December 2006.
- ^ "Laptops thrown by actress hit seniors: police", CBC, 9 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
- ^ "No charges against actress Richards, RCMP say", CBC, 10 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
