Hastings slots parlor opens

Hastings opened its temporary slot-machine floor Saturday morning after final approval was given by the city of Vancouver on Friday afternoon.

The temporary area holds 150 slot machines and will help fund a $40 million renovation to the facility.

Construction of a permanent slots area, intended to house 600 slot machines, is expected to begin next week. The project will take up to 10 months to complete.

Hastings initially received approval for slots from Vancouver's city council in August 2004 but the opening was repeatedly delayed, primarily because of the actions of a local citizens group, the Hastings Conservancy, which tried to block the slots parlor.