The future of the now empty Dresden Slots facility is a bit clearer, with the Dresden Agricultural Society moving towards finding a use for the former slots building.
The slots operator—Gateway Casinos– moved to a new $36 million casino built in Chatham in July. The agricultural society, which owned the land the building was on and leased it for the past 19 years, held a general membership meeting at the Dresden Raceway on Thursday night to discuss possible uses for the building now that the slots building is being turned over to the agricultural society.
Dresden Agricultural Society members were overwhelmingly in favour of letting the building stand instead of tearing it down, and finding a use for the building. An ad hoc committee will be formed to look into possible uses for the building, including horse simulcasts, bar, restaurant and offices for both the Dresden Raceway and Dresden Agricultural Society.
Dresden Agricultural Society President Alicia VanEsse said the meeting was for the membership to be aware the slot building is in the process of being turned back to the agricultural society, and what DAS members would like to see done with the building.
VanEsse said if the building is used to help promote and improve horse racing in Dresden, there could possibly be money from the provincial government under an agreement that was made last year when the decision was made to transfer the slots to the Chatham casino.