The site of the new gaming centre was hit by a fire set early on Monday morning. Opinion 250 had full details on what has been described as arson at the 1st Avenue construction site. No extensive damage is reported, with most of the damage reported as smoke related.
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As the Gaming Centre is located directly behind the fire station, response time was minimal in tackling the blaze once the alarm was sounded.
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An active arson investigation is underway with both the Prince Rupert Fire Depratment and local RCMP detachment looking into the incident.
It's not expected that the fires will cause a delay in the planned opening of the centre in September.
Arson Investigation Underway at New Gaming Centre In Rupert
By 250 News
Tuesday, July 03, 2007 02:55 PM
Insurance adjusters are looking at the damage to the nearly completed Chances Gaming Centre in Prince Rupert.
Early Monday morning, the Prince Rupert Fire Department was called to the construction site.
The fire was quickly extinguished, but not before damage had been caused to the building.
One confidential source told Opinion 250 there had been several small fires set, and the RCMP are now investigating the case.
The $13 million dollar Chances Prince Rupert Gaming Centre planned to open in September.
There is no estimate of damage at this time, facility General Manager Craig Briere says the damage was mostly from smoke, so the planned September opening should go ahead on schedule.
"From the pictures we have seen , this looks like some construction materials were set on fire and there has been no structural damage to the building itself." Briere says he believes this to be an act of vandalism "I think soome people were celebrating Canada Day, and we are in the vacinity of those celebrations, so I think in the hours after the festivities wound down, some people wanted to see more action." He doesn’ t think the fires were directed at the Gaming Centre itself "The community accepts this facility and is looking forward to the opportunities it presents" says Briere.
The facility features 16,000 square feet of gaming space, plus a further 16,000 main floor for a convention centre and ballroom. The lower level can be sealed off from the second floor so events for those under the age of 19 can be held at the site.
Each of the two floors features floor to ceiling windows which frame the view of the Prince Rupert Harbour.
When complete, the gaming centre would create 50 full and part time jobs. The gaming centre will be home to 125 slot machines, and 120 electronic bingo seats.
There would also be room for 150 people in the restaurant and lounge.
Investigators have seized some evidence and are examining the evidence for fingerprints.
Police in Prince Rupert are asking for the public’s assistance in the investigation. Anyone with information or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area is asked to contact Cst Richards of the Prince Rupert RCMP at 627-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 627-8477
The RCMP Press a press release on the fire which can be found here:
It's not expected that the fires will cause a delay in the planned opening of the centre in September.
Arson Investigation Underway at New Gaming Centre In Rupert
By 250 News
Tuesday, July 03, 2007 02:55 PM
Insurance adjusters are looking at the damage to the nearly completed Chances Gaming Centre in Prince Rupert.
Early Monday morning, the Prince Rupert Fire Department was called to the construction site.
The fire was quickly extinguished, but not before damage had been caused to the building.
One confidential source told Opinion 250 there had been several small fires set, and the RCMP are now investigating the case.
The $13 million dollar Chances Prince Rupert Gaming Centre planned to open in September.
There is no estimate of damage at this time, facility General Manager Craig Briere says the damage was mostly from smoke, so the planned September opening should go ahead on schedule.
"From the pictures we have seen , this looks like some construction materials were set on fire and there has been no structural damage to the building itself." Briere says he believes this to be an act of vandalism "I think soome people were celebrating Canada Day, and we are in the vacinity of those celebrations, so I think in the hours after the festivities wound down, some people wanted to see more action." He doesn’ t think the fires were directed at the Gaming Centre itself "The community accepts this facility and is looking forward to the opportunities it presents" says Briere.
The facility features 16,000 square feet of gaming space, plus a further 16,000 main floor for a convention centre and ballroom. The lower level can be sealed off from the second floor so events for those under the age of 19 can be held at the site.
Each of the two floors features floor to ceiling windows which frame the view of the Prince Rupert Harbour.
When complete, the gaming centre would create 50 full and part time jobs. The gaming centre will be home to 125 slot machines, and 120 electronic bingo seats.
There would also be room for 150 people in the restaurant and lounge.
Investigators have seized some evidence and are examining the evidence for fingerprints.
Police in Prince Rupert are asking for the public’s assistance in the investigation. Anyone with information or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area is asked to contact Cst Richards of the Prince Rupert RCMP at 627-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 627-8477
The RCMP Press a press release on the fire which can be found here:
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