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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 28, 2015 | 8 Revitalization lands $1.3M-win for charities at Delta Gaming Centre by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Staff and volunteers from local charities who work at Oakville Delta Gaming Centre are celebrating the fact that nearly $1.3 million has been raised for 32 local charities at the Speers Road establishment since the Province revitalized it in 2012. A ceremony last Friday (May 22), celebrated a turnaround for the business that had faced closing its doors. Representatives from the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA), the Commercial Gaming Association of Ontario (CGAO), the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), as well as Oakville MPP and Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton were among those attending. In late 2012, the Delta Gaming Centre was desperate for an infusion of modern gaming equipment offered by the OLG's Charitable Gaming Centre Agreement. An agreement permitted the introduction of e-Bingo, something Delta owner Cam Johnstone said was essential for bringing The Ontario Charity Gaming Association (OCGA) marked a milestone at the Delta Gaming Centre on Speers Road last Friday. It presented a symbolic cheque to the citizens of Oakville for the $1.3 million raised for 32 local charities over the past few years (since late 2012). Pictured, accepting the cheque on behalf of the citizens, from left are: Oakville MPP and Ontario Labour Minister Kevin Flynn, Ward 2 Councillor Pam Damoff, Diane Austen (president of the Oakville Charities Association) and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, while surrounded by members of local charities. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) customers back to his business, which had been losing money for some time. Town council had held off signing the agreement based on a number of concerns, including the possibility the language of the agreement could allow the introduction of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) without the municipality's input. The situation came to a head when Johnstone noted that if the agreement did not go forward, the Delta Gaming Centre would have to close its doors on Oct. 31, 2012. It would have resulted in the facility's 40 employees losing their jobs and in a loss of revenue for all the local charities that raise money there. Council relented, accepting a vow from Johnstone that he would not introduce VLTs at his business without council's consent. The OLG also told council VLTs would not be included in the modernization of charitable gaming. During Friday's celebration Oakville Mayor Rob Burton credited Ward 2 Town Councillor Pam Damoff with giving council perspective on the situation at the time. "Pam was the leader on council who got the approvals through that were required to make this happen today," said Burton. "It was her vision that eventually prevailed. Council was, frankly, quite divided and it is your vision that has been proven to have been for the good," he told the councillor. OCGA Executive Director Lynn Cassidy spoke about the importance of allowing the revitalization to go forward at Oakville Delta Gaming Centre. "We have 32 charities and not-for-profits that are raising money here at this site. see E-Bingo on p.18 Open 7 days / week CLAUDE'S VACUUM SHOP CL # 1 International Vacuum Month of May Special Tax Included Sales · Service · Parts Free Estimates on Repairs Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday · 9am - 6pm Wednesday · 9am - 5pm Saturday · 9am - 4pm 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville · 905-257-5880 905-257-5880 maximekitchens.ca maximekitchens.ca www.claudesvacuum.com 128 Kerr St., Oakville, ON L6K 3A7 905.842.5658 | claude2@cogeco.net