One-Tank Trip for
Oct. 6/12
(c) By Jim Fox
Carved out of a
cornfield near Orillia 16 years ago, Casino Rama has grown to become an
all-season resort and one of Ontario’s most-popular attractions.
 |
| Casino Rama’s 300 room all-suite hotel includes a spa, fitness facilities, indoor pool, restaurant and bar/lounge. (Jim Fox photo) |
It was no gamble to
launch this venture on the Mnjikaning First Nation Reserve, near the Narrows
between lakes Simcoe and Couchiching.
Beginning modestly with
one main building housing the casino and restaurants, there was a tent where world-class
entertainers including Tony Bennett performed.
Now there’s an
all-suite hotel and spa, entertainment complex, conference facilities and 10 restaurants
serving an average of 10,000 meals a day.
About 8,000 people
– or almost three million annually – make the trek to Rama along with 30 tour
buses daily.
Rolling the dice
 |
| Seven come 11, rolling the dice at the craps table. |
The success of Casino
Rama could lead to even bigger things soon.
“We are looking at
doing extensive renovations to heighten the customer experience,” said Jenna
Hunter, media relations manager.
The investment
being considered by casino owner Penn National Gaming, Inc. would include
relocating the main entrance, possibly adding another restaurant and bar,
expanding the “gaming” areas including the poker and high limits areas, and
streamlining the valet parking.
Since the
distinctive 300 room, all-suite hotel is “99.9-per-cent booked” year-round,
another hotel tower is on the wish list.
Jackpot!
Casino Rama now
offers a “complete entertainment experience” with more than 2,500 slot
machines, 110 table games, “unique” restaurants and a 5,001-seat Entertainment
Centre.
The full-service
hotel has the Balance in Life Spa, adult-only fitness facilities and an indoor
swimming pool, and there are conference facilities for up to 800 people.
 |
| Roger Berube and wife Brigitte of Barrie celebrate their $1.78 million Megabucks’ jackpot with Casino Rama VIP Representative Amanda (left). |
New are the
immensely popular “Mighty Millionaire” slot games with progressive jackpots
starting at $1 million.
Themes include Michael
Jackson, King of Pop; Grease; Money Vault; Cash Spin; and Golden Pharaoh.
Casino Rama had eight
winners of the previous Megabucks’ jackpots including Roger Berube of Barrie taking
$1.78 million last month and a Huntsville man who scooped up $3.1 million in
February.
It had the largest Canadian
slot jackpot of $9 million won in 2008 by a Toronto woman.
Upcoming are the
Monster Bash Slot Tournament on Oct. 30 and the Fall Cruzin’ “hot seat” event
on Nov. 3 when four cars will be given away and $100 gas cards every five
minutes.
Seeing the sights
This all-season
resort is set within Lake Country, a most-scenic spot in Ontario just south of
Muskoka.
 |
| Casino Rama has a partnership with Midland Tours offering boat cruises including viewing the fall colours on the Trent-Severn Waterway at Big Chute Marine Railway. (Jim Fox photo) |
“We encourage
guests to get out and see the beautiful countryside and attend the fairs and
festivals,” Hunter said.
There’s a new
partnership with Midland Tours offering boat cruises including one winding down
now of fall colours trips on the Trent-Severn Waterway from Port Severn. www.midlandtours.com
Other activities
are fishing, waterskiing, golfing, mountain biking, skiing, snowmobiling while
scenic hiking trails surround the area.
It’s show time for food, fun
The restaurants employ 600 people
and are overseen by industry veterans Orhan Gozutok, director of food and
beverage, and Dave Han, assistant director.
“We specialize in sourcing the
finest local ingredients for our menus that change to offer the best of each season,”
Han said.
St. Germain’s Steakhouse features AAA beef and seafood options include
live lobster from the tank.
There are also Lombardi’s (Italian);
Couchiching Court Buffet (a bargain at $16.95 for dinner); the Willow
(authentic Cantonese); Legends (food court); Dream Catcher Sports Lounge; Noodle
Bar; Cedar (Classic Canadiana); Weirs (24-hour hotel restaurant); and the
Firestarter Lounge.
After dinner, the Entertainment
Centre features many legendary and Asian and Italian performers with added sports
offerings such as a Toronto Raptors Intra-Squad game on Oct. 28 and Bellator 79
fighting championships on Nov. 2.
Upcoming are Travis Tritt, Oct.
12; the Go-Go’s, Oct. 13; Jeff Foxworthy, Oct. 14; Russell Peters, Oct. 18, 19;
the Fab Four, Oct. 20; Air Supply, Oct. 26, 27; Frankie Valli, Nov. 8; Jim
Gaffigan, Nov. 9; Roger Hodgson, Nov. 16, 17; and Rita McNeil and Frank Mills Christmas,
Nov. 30, Dec. 1.
Employing 2,500 people and open
24 hours a day, Casino Rama has contributed $8 million to assist local organizations,
agencies and charities.
If you go:
Take Highway 400 North
to Highway 11, exit at Highway 12 South and turn left onto Rama Road.
Bus companies across southern
Ontario offer return trips for a “nominal” fee that includes a free meal or
buffet.
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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