Hastings slots suit dismissed

A lawsuit filed to prevent the installation of slot machines at Hastings has been dismissed in the British Columbia Supreme Court.

The suit, filed by a group called the Hastings Conservancy, claimed that the city of Vancouver had not followed proper procedure when it gave Hastings the go-ahead to install slots, but a province Supreme Court judge has ruled that the city had followed proper guidelines and that no zoning bylaws had been breached.

The decision allows Hastings and the City to finalize all of the agreements necessary to install slots at Hastings.

"We're very pleased with the decision," said Howard Blank, vice president media and entertainment for Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, which owns Hastings. "We're looking forward with regards to construction and the development of the site."

It has been more than two years since the Vancouver City Council voted, 6-5, to allow slots at Hastings.