Gold Dust Casino is no more.
With the installation of a new sign on Monday, the casino officially changed its name to Apex Casino, part of a massive $5-million redesign that will give the facility a classier look and feel, according to general manager Rob LeLacheur.
“Ultimately, we came up with the name Apex Casino. We felt it was obviously short and sweet. It represented what we’re trying to become and that’s just an all-round great entertainment experience, the peak at the top, the summit,” LeLacheur told the Gazette.
The facility has operated under the Gold Dust moniker since 1994 and was known as the McPherson Casino before that.
LeLacheur said the casino’s new image will help create more of a cozy, casual and fun environment, something already reflected in the new chic decor at Vintage Restaurant and Lounge, which includes a 14-seat private dining room with fireplace and flat-screen TV
Other work scheduled as part of the redesign includes new lighting, upgraded sound system, modified entranceways and a new food station at the west end that will include a bar and items such as grilled sandwiches.
LeLacheur said keeping the facility open during the renovations has been a challenge.
“There’s been lots of late-night work,” he noted, adding the renovations should wrap up in the next three to four weeks.
The casino will also be getting new cards and chips, a new table game area and will eventually add a 24-hour poker room. Staff will also be getting new uniforms as part of the redesign and a new website is scheduled to launch later this week.
“I believe our new brand and decor match really well. The colours are warm and a little funky here and there. Honestly, we had a very dated facility and the comments have been great thus far that people have really enjoyed the new look,” LeLacheur said.
“Before we were very much a gaming operation and now we feel very strongly, with the addition of Vintage, the restaurant and the lounge, with the live entertainment, the Duelling Pianos, our banquet room, we’ve given a lot more that truly makes for a great night out.”
Currently, the facility features the Duelling Pianos on Fridays and a house band, Vintage Vibe, on Saturdays.
With the redesign, LeLacheur said the casino will eventually bring in more entertainment and he hopes more people will utilize the new banquet room for private functions and fundraisers.
“We’re building a brand new business so there are things down the road that we definitely want to look at adding,” he said.
LeLacheur said the casino will likely add more events like their Classic Car Tuesdays, where residents bring their classic cars to the casino’s parking lot every Tuesday night during the summer months.
“That’s been a great event that we’ve built year after year. We’re going to look for opportunities like that,” said LeLacheur.
He is optimistic the casino can eventually become a regular destination for both residents and visitors by complementing the overall St. Albert experience, and in doing so attach itself to the city’s new tagline, “Cultivate Life.”
He said efforts each spring to plant numerous flowers and plants along the casino’s exterior each spring fits nicely with the city’s “Botanical Arts City” brand.
“The entertainment aspect of things, there’s not a whole lot of choices in St. Albert and to know now, when friends are in from out of town, you take them to the market, where do you go?” he asked.
“While they may come here first for the farmers’ market or to visit Hole’s, we want to work closely with those different outlets, Servus Place is another one, so that we’re part of the whole St. Albert experience. I think we can play a significant role,” said LeLacheur, who also chairs the city’s brand leadership team.
“I very confidently say when we get everything done here, this is definitely going to be one of the nights out.”
