CTV News has learned the Hard Rock Casino company is part of the winning bid to expand gaming at Rideau Carleton. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has chosen a partnership bid involving Hard Rock and Rideau Carleton itself.
RIdeau Carleton will be renamed Hard Rock Casino Ottawa. It will be a $320 million project that will include a Hard Rock Hotel and Hard Rock Cafe.
The project will create 1,900 new construction jobs and the expansion would mean more slot machines and card table games. Ottawa city council passed a resolution permitting at least 21 card tables.
Conservative M.P.P. Lisa MacLeod, who represents the area, said it's a positive step for two reason.
"It will retain horse racing in the city of Ottawa, which is very important to our rural culture and community, and it will also retain rural jobs," MacLeod told CFRA.
"Over a thousand people are either directly or indirectly employed by the race track."
Ottawa City Councillor George Darouze, in whose ward the race track is located, says nearby residential areas should support the project.
"This site was there way before anybody moved into Findlay Creek or Riverside South.," Darouze said.
But he did admit there will have to be proper transportation and road links built to avoid stress on the local infrastructure for people living there.
"They should be happy because it's going to create employment and increase the economy in the area.
A news conference is scheduled for Monday afternoon to announce more details.