Next LPAT Hearing Comes Mid-September

The Local Planning Appeals Tribunal is projected to enter its next phase this fall, as this week saw a meeting regarding its next hearing date. A tentative date was pinpointed and this will be September 17. Kingsway Entertainment District’s opposition will also have the chance to have its voice heard on September 18, if that is necessary.

This week was a highly-anticipated one, as it saw a discussion on a rather controversial subject in Greater Sudbury. Kingsway Entertainment District has stirred the pot in the region with the entertainment possibilities it could bring to the region. Locals oppose the casino venue that might be built within it and the legal battle regarding it has reached the Superior Court of Justice.

Tentative Dates

Mid-September the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal is about to have its hearing in relation to the appeals against Kingsway Entertainment District filed over the past few years. September 17 is about to bring the hearing that was supposed to take place on May 5. However, the unprecedented situation around the globe and in Canada led to the postponement of the hearing.

September 18 was also highlighted as a date that could see the second part of the conversation. It should be noted that both dates are tentative at this point due to the dynamically changing situation. In the upcoming months, they could change to a later date when a hearing will be more appropriate. The legal battle some of the appellants have launched should also be taken into account.

The Superior Court of Justice is preparing for the upcoming ruling on the subject which is scheduled to see its next phase on June 29 and 30. Past that date, the Superior Court will need up to 11 weeks to review the subject and issue its ultimate ruling. This could happen by mid-September. This is the reason why the LPAT hearing dates are tentative.

Legal Battle

Kingsway Entertainment District has seen the support of its developers over the years. Sudbury Wolves owner Dario Zulich is among the individuals responsible for its structure in its current and he is also supportive of the casino development that could be part of its. Gateway Casinos & Entertainment is the casino operator that wants to oversee the operation of a casino complex called Starlight Casino Sudbury.

Ever since November 2018, the review process of KED appeals has been stuck in a limbo that gives no signs of resolution. Last year, Tom Fortin, one of the main opponents of Kingsway Entertainment District in Greater Sudbury made his next move in the war against the special zone. The local businessman filed evidence suggesting that the City of Greater Sudbury showed bias when it gave its approval to the special zone project including a casino venue.

All pieces of evidence part of the file aim to show that local officials demonstrated prejudice in favor of certain individuals and officials. He founded the Casino-Free Sudbury organization that aims to maintain the area free of gambling activities, citing problem gambling and increased crime rates as the main reasons why.