On September 15, Pickering Council in Ontario voted 4-3 in favour of an application to re-zone three sections of land which could lead to the erection of the proposed ‘Durham Live’ complex. The proposal is similar to the failed ‘Woodbine Live!’ proposal from years past, and officials behind the proposal are hoping to eventually land casino gaming at the complex.

Pickering Developments President Steve Apostolopoulos has been quoted as saying that his company is “very pleased that council has put their support behind Durham Live,” adding that the company can now “move to the next stages of the planning process for this exciting tourist destination.”

Apostolopoulos’ comments have come via an article by durhamregion.com. The report also states that staff with the City of Pickering now has to complete an “implementing zoning bylaw” which will then have to be brought back to council for approval, which could be in mid-December.

An article by the National Post has examined the failed Woodbine Live! project. The report outlines how much of the vacant land at Woodbine Racetrack that was earmarked for development is currently the site of a soybean field that is on the cusp of being harvested.

(With files from durhamregion.com and the National Post)