Over $5.5 million in funding for the Township of Scugog over five years may become a reality if council passes a Municipal Service Agreement (MSA) extension between it and OLG.
The City of Pickering, which hosts the Pickering Casino Resort, has received almost $77 million from OLG since 2021 (see below).
A report presented to Scugog Council is looking to obtain authorization to execute the MSA extension between the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and the Township of Scugog.
The agreement is said to provide needed funding to the township from the OLG in exchange for the provision of municipal services to the Great Blue Heron Casino, and represents an anticipated five-years of additional funding to the township beginning on April 1, 2027, for a total expected amount of over $5,500,000 during that period.
This amount represents an important source of funding in return for the provision of services such as maintenance of township roads providing access to the casino and includes the provision of fire and emergency response services for the casino.
Execution of the agreement will provide cost certainty to the township and the OLG.
In the report, received by council, extending the existing MSA with the OLG supports the following strategic plan goals and objectives for Scugog:
- Invest in roads and related infrastructure to improve the overall condition and connectedness of roads and municipal servicing.
- Improve sustainability through financial management, innovative funding, efficient and effective delivery of services. Formalize long-term financial planning to enhance informed decision-making for delivery of services, management of Scugog assets and responses to major infrastructure projects, growth and legislative changes.
- Strengthen the communities to be inclusive, healthy, safe, connected and engaged and expand community and governmental partnerships.
The final recommendation of the report is that he mayor and clerk are authorized to execute the MSA.