• Casino & Entertainment Facility

• Client: Ontario Gaming GTA L.P.

• Port Perry, Canada

• 11,000 square metres

• In Progress

Great Blue Heron Casino, designed in association with Chris Dikeakos Architects, presents an exciting opportunity to redevelop and revitalize an existing casino and its surrounding site to further enhance the original concept of fostering economic development and community building for the First Nation’s people of the Island of Scugog. The scope of the project includes a renovation of the existing interior, sprung-structure of the casino and its food and beverage components as well as the development of a new gaming complex, hotel, and multi-purpose venue. The ‘horseshoe’ layout of the complex optimizes the unique site condition and galvanizes the important spatial relationships between the various programmatic components to make the experience convenient and comfortable for guests. The main entry, directly linked to the gaming floor, is the central hub from which the other amenities can be accessed.

Conceptually, the form and materiality of the new buildings draw inspiration from the indigenous craftsmanship practiced by the First Nation’s people, particularly centred around canoe construction and basket weaving. An abstraction of these history-rich, generational practices, inspired feature elements such as the covered walkway. Another important goal of this project is to revitalize the existing site via landscape design and the use of native species. Great Blue Heron Casino will act as a catalyst for the town of Port Perry fostering a greater level of sustainable development in the area and celebrate the rich history of the people of Scugog Island.