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FEATURE PROFILE: Feature from the FALL 2024 ISSUE of STAY Magazine
News
River Rock Casino Resort marks 20th anniversary with 'grand event' and donation to local hospital
River Rock Casino Resort has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a “grand event.” The anniversary celebration took place in the main atrium which is undergoing a complete reimagination to accommodate the addition of Gordon Ramsay Steak, the first of Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay’s fine dining restaurants in Canada.
The event was hosted by voice actor and award-winning radio & TV host Kevin Lim, who kicked off the ceremony by inviting Stephen Lee, CEO, of Musqueam Capital Corporation, to welcome attendees to Musqueam land. The event featured remarks by Matthew Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian Entertainment, and Terrance Doyle, president and chief development officer, who shared stories from the property’s rich 20-year history. Together, they acknowledged all the resort's dedicated team members and offered a special champagne toast to honour the 136 “Day One” employees, many of whom were in attendance.
Anfinson spoke about Great Canadian Entertainment’s $500 million investment into River Rock and its pride in being one of the largest employers in the City of Richmond, B.C. with over 850 team members. He heralded the resort’s impact and its innovation. The property is home to the first curved escalator in Canada and is one of the few venues in the world with a state-of-the-art convertible seating system in its theatre. The “P3” project with the City of Richmond, TransLink, and the Vancouver Airport Authority led to the development of the south parkade in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics and now serves thousands of commuters in the region daily.
Malcolm Brodie, mayor of the City of Richmond, and Jerry Williamson, director of gaming facilities & development at BCLC, spoke about the over $280 million that the City of Richmond has received from BCLC as their share of gaming revenue generated by River Rock, and how it has been reinvested in important capital projects in the City like the Richmond Olympic Oval and Minoru Seniors’ Centre, while MLA for Richmond South Centre Henry Yao provided congratulatory greetings on behalf of the province.
A highlight of the event was a cheque presentation to Natalie Meixner, president and CEO of the Richmond Hospital Foundation by Wayne Odegard, general manager of River Rock Casino Resort. In a special twist, Odegard offered to double the donation if a lucky roll of oversized, inflatable dice resulted in a seven or higher. Meixner did indeed hit the mark, and “won” $20,000 for the Richmond Hospital Foundation.
Cheque presentation to Natalie Meixner, president and CEO of the Richmond Hospital Foundation by Wayne Odegard, general manager of River Rock Casino Resort
Earlier this year, as part of the 20th-anniversary celebration, River Rock proudly announced a series of significant upgrades which are anticipated to be completed throughout the year, aimed at enhancing the guest experience for decades to come, including the following:
- Gordon Ramsay Steak will occupy a new space in the main atrium and feature indoor and outdoor dining.
- KOI, the latest culinary venture from celebrated restaurateur Michael Zhang, will open later this year, offering a modern and elegant fusion dining experience.
- The Jade Room will see an expansion with new slot machines, elevating the gaming options available to guests.
- The resort's floor layout will be refreshed for better navigation and accessibility.
- A new Privé Lounge will be added, with a dedicated bar on the gaming floor.
- River Rock’s conference facilities will also be expanded, providing more space for meetings, events, and gatherings.
- The on-site marina will be dredged to reactivate the 130-slip marina fully.
- The resort's buffet has been renovated to include à la carte offerings with panoramic views of the mountains and marina.
- New technical upgrades that will enhance the audience’s experience in the theatre.
"We're incredibly excited to introduce these enhancements at River Rock Casino Resort," says Wayne Odegard, regional vice president, River Rock Casino Resort. "As a pioneer in gaming and hospitality in the market, and one of the very few entertainment resorts in British Columbia, we have always been proud of our resort and its robust amenities. These dynamic upgrades will not only provide our discerning guests with expanded choices but allow our special brand of hospitality to shine even brighter."
The upgrades are scheduled to be completed throughout the year.
