A new multifaceted entertainment and tourist complex is moving closer to development, with proposals for a new premier casino resort at the site in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) proceeding “towards municipal permitting.”

Named Durham Live, and situated in the Durham Region’s city of Pickering, the future entertainment destination is also set to encapsulate an indoor water park, film studios, hotels and a convention space, creating in excess of 10,000 new jobs in the process.

It is anticipated that 2,000 of those employed are set to be in the casino resort itself, of which 1,700 new employees are set to join individuals transferring over from the existing Casino Ajax, upon completion.

Development is being undertaken by the Ontario Gaming GTA LP (OGGLP), a partnership between Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, a Canadian gaming services operator with 25 gaming, entertainment and hospitality facilities across Canada and the US, and Toronto-based Brookfield Business Partners, the flagship listed business services and industrials company of Brookfield Asset Management Inc.

Rod Baker, President and CEO of the Great Canadian Gaming, added: “We look forward to welcoming our existing team members to join us at the new facility once construction is complete, along with 1,700 new members of our family.

“Investing hundreds of millions of private sector dollars in the Durham Region economy will mean more construction and operations jobs for people in Ajax and Pickering, more procurement opportunities for local companies, more tourism in the region, and more government revenues to support communities.”

“A world class casino resort is one of the most exciting aspects of the Durham Live development”

The history of Durham Live dates back to August 2017, when the OGGLP was selected by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), to operate a trio of gaming facilities within the GTA.

Awarded exclusive rights to operate the assets for a minimum of 22 years, they were concurrently branded Casino Woodbine, Great Blue Heron Casino and Casino Ajax, the latter of which will relocate once the new expanded gaming and entertainment operation at Durham Live is operational in late 2019.

Steve Apostolopoulos, managing partner of Toronto-based Triple Properties, the developer of Durham Live, commented: “Great Canadian Gaming is Canada’s leading gaming operator, and Brookfield has unmatched experience delivering transformational developments. Their shared vision for a world class casino resort is one of the most exciting aspects of the Durham Live development.

“We are delighted to have partners of such high calibre as an anchor of our project, and a catalyst for the significant economic and employment benefits that Durham Live will deliver as it elevates the entertainment experience in the region.”

The investment is expected to create in excess of 10,000 jobs for the local region, in addition to “bringing a multi-dimensional cultural, tourist and commercial centre to Durham Region.”