Fredericton council hears 2 hours of debate about VLT lounge

A proposed zoning change that would allow a video-lottery lounge in a downtown neighbourhood dominated Monday's meeting of Fredericton city council, with councillors listening to more than two hours of opinions from residents.

Those speaking against the proposal outnumbered those in favour by a 2-to-1 margin.

Does Fredericton need a Vegas strip right down in that area of town?- Charlene Roxborough, area resident

"Residents are saying, 'Does Fredericton need a Vegas strip right down in that area of town?' They are concerned about that," said Charlene Roxborough, who was one of 13 people to voice opposition to the zoning change.

Roxborough has gone door-to-door in the area and collected almost 1,000 signatures against the zoning change for 444 Aberdeen Street.

Horse Racing New Brunswick is applying to have the zoning changed to allow "a drinking establishment." It would feature video-lottery terminals and betting on simulcast horse races, much like Horse Racing New Brunswick offers now at Winners Lounge on the Exhibition grounds, which has 25 VLTs owned by Atlantic Lottery Corp.

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However, Horse Racing New Brunswick has been locked in a landlord-tenant dispute with Fredericton Exhibition Ltd. and its lease expires at the end of the year.

People speaking against the zoning change at Monday's council meeting felt it wasn't good for a family area and they don't want the noise that would come with it. Some people said they feared property damage and that its presence would lower property values in the area.

6 speak in favour

Six people spoke in favour of the amendment being approved. Former Horse Racing New Brunswick president Mitchell Downey told council Winner's Lounge attracts a quiet and calm crowd that wouldn't cause the kind of disruption some people fear.

Personal feelings on gambling cannot come into play.- Mitchell Downey, former HRNB president

Downey said the decision council makes on the zoning change shouldn't come down to a question on the morality of gambling.

"The real debate tonight must centre around the intended use of the land. Political or personal feelings on gambling cannot come into play," said Downey. 

"This zoning amendment is about having a tasteful location for residents and patrons to come, enjoy a drink, while watching horse racing, and having access to entertainment in the form of VLTS."

The final decision on the zoning amendment will come on July 11 when councillors vote on the amendment at third reading.