Local casino celebrates forty years booming
Found in the heart of
downtown Fort McMurray, the
Boomtown Casino marks 2018 with its 40-year milestone of bringing gambling entertainment to the community.
When first established, Boomtown was a portable, set-up event with various venues hosting gaming nights throughout the city, on a rotation basis. Back then, it only had eight portable blackjack tables and a money wheel.
According to its website, the casino found a permanent location in 1990 and “was bought by Winners Gaming in 1992 and was established in the MacKenzie Park Inn (now known as the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre) for two years.” It moved to the current location at 9825 Hardin Street, beside the Peter Pond Shopping Mall in 2000.
Three years following, the Boomtown became a public company and is now owned and operated by Gamehost Inc. By 2006, the casino initiated an expansion to increase its capacity in the poker room, dance floor, lounge and restaurant. Today, it showcases over 23,000 feet of featured gaming space.
While the gambling crowd is evidently popular, the Boomtown also caters to Fort McMurray foodies with its large-portioned, all-day breakfast and chef-created specialties in the Clearwater Café. (During the holiday season, local employers come back annually to treat their staff to a traditional turkey dinner through the Boomtown’s private bookings service.)
Neighbouring local businesses and organizations have forever-been on the Boomtown’s forefront. And since the casino’s inception, it has been committed to the community by holding fundraisers for local registered charities. From 15 to 20 groups to service in the 70s, Boomtown now supports over 250 groups and brings in volunteers to operate two-day casino nights weekly to raise money for their organization.
The biggest crowd-pleaser comes from the line-up of local and brought-in bands showcased every Thursday to Saturday. Past headliners have included Aaron Pritchett, Aaron Goodvin, The Chris Buck Band and many, many more.
With no tickets or cover charge – ever - applied, the Boomtown owns the right to boast about having the “best live entertainment” in the city and guests prove their slogan by stomping on the dancefloor until shutdown.
Tonight, The Travelin’ Band – A CCR Tribute takes the Boomtown stage for their second night at 9:30 p.m. and the next three weekends bring in more music favourites.
The Mojave Iguanas – Playing on May 17 to May 19 at 9:30 p.m., this Edmonton band brings a versatile, instrumental mix of rock n’ roll, country and pop. Craig Mortiz – Playing on May 24 to May 27, Mortiz’s highly-anticipated return to his roots have local Fort McMurray country music fans raving. And, from May 31 to June 1 at 9:30 p.m., up-and-coming country star Connor James will stop into the Boomtown as part of his Canada-wide tour.
Check out the Boomtown Casino's Facebook page @BoomtownCasino.ca as it posts frequent entertainment updates. To learn more information on the Boomtown Casino’s services, please visit www.boomtowncasino.ca.