Camellia Bay Resort chosen name for proposed Slidell casino

St. Tammany Parish government, business leaders tout project for Oak Harbor area

St. Tammany Parish government, business leaders tout project for Oak Harbor area

THIS WILL BOOST THE ECONOMY. BUT SOME BUSINSES OWNERS AREN'T BUNGYI INTO THAT IDEA. CAMILA BAY RESORT AND CASINO IS A NAME PICKED BY A LOCAL REGISTERED NURSE. SHE WON A CHECK FOR $5,000 FOR COMING UP WITH IT. DEVELOPERS SAY IT'S A WAY OF SHOWING HOW THEY PLAN ON INVESTING IN THE COMMUNI.TY >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE MOST PROUD OF IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND LEARN FROM THEM, AND SO TO HAVE THE NAMING CONTEST, HAVE SOMEBODY ACTUALLY COME UP WITH THE NAME THAT WE EVENTUALLY CHOSEN AND TO HONOR THAT PERSON WAS AN AMAZING EVENT FOR US TODAY. >> The Reporter: BUT NOT EVERYONE AGREES WITH THEET RURN ON INVESTMENT, OR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. DOUG IS THE OWNER OF THE WINE MARKET, A BAR AND GRILL LOCATED ABOUT TEN MINUTES AWAY FROM THE CASINO'S SE.IT HE SAYS THE PERKS OFFICE AT CAMILA COULD DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY. SOME RESIDENTS AREN'T CONFIDENT, THE 5% RETURN BACK TO THE COMMUNITY PROMISED FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN. >> THE 5% THEY'RE TALK ABOUT IS A NET NUMBER. NOBODY WILL PUT OUT WHAT NET GAMING IS, WHAT THAT ACTUAL NUMBER IS. WE KNOW THE STATE TAKES 21.5% OFF THE TOP. THIS IS IT STRICTLY ABOUT THE STATE TAKGIN MONEY. THE CITYS I LOSING MONEY. >>> BUT DEVELOPERS BELIEVE THE BEST DEAL WAS LAID OUT ON THE TABLE. THEY'RE HOPING FOR A GREAT OUTCOME IN NOVEMBER WHEN ST. TAMMANY VOTSER GET TO VOTE ON A PROJECT THAT PROMISES GROWTH. >> WE SEE THIS AS A GREAT RESORT PRODUCT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO LOOK TO BE A GUIDING MEMBER WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND WE UNDERSTAND IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO OPERATE IN A JURISDICTION LIKE THIS ANDE W LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT IN THE FUTEUR. >> The Reporter: SO AGAIN, THIS IS UP TO THE VOTERS IN ST. TAMMANYARISH. P THEY'LL HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, IF THAT VOTE PASSSE APPROVING THE CINASO, DEVELOPERS SAY THEY'LL GET STARTED AS EARLY AS THE BEGINNING OF 2022, WITH A LAUNCH DATE OF 2023. REPORTIN

Camellia Bay Resort chosen name for proposed Slidell casino

St. Tammany Parish government, business leaders tout project for Oak Harbor area

The name of the proposed $325 million resort and casino for Slidell has been revealed. P2E announced that the casino will be named Camellia Bay Resort and Casino. The person who submitted the winning name, Kimberly Frady, an Ochsner RN, received a check for $5,000. Her submission was chosen from more than 7,000 proposed names. St. Tammany voters are set to approve or deny the casino on the October ballot. The proposal has been met with opposition from community members and parish leaders. Earlier reports: The company hoping to give eastern St. Tammany Parish a casino is throwing more money behind its idea.Peninsula Pacific Entertainment revealed an updated proposal for a resort in Slidell's Oak Harbor neighborhood Tuesday. The $325 million plan ― up from the initial $250 million draft ― would add a convention space, outdoor amphitheater, lazy river and upgrades to an adjacent marina. St. Tammany Parish government and economic development leaders lauded the additions at an afternoon news conference, praising Peninsula Pacific for incorporating the public's suggestions."We wanted to make sure we have a relationship for the long term with this project, and we got that," St. Tammany Corporation CEO Christopher Masingill said. "We wanted certain representation as it relates to St. Tammanians being able to work at this project, and we got that."Supporters also argued the parish would see a return on the company's investment. A total of 5% of its gaming revenue would go toward local governments: the parish, the city and drainage projects, among other destinations."Now we've laid all the cards out on the table," said state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, a Slidell Republican who drafted legislation to advance the project. "It is really important to us, and it's something I think our community needs and deserves."Yet religious groups remain opposed. Groups like the Louisiana Family Forum and churches throughout St. Tammany Parish have argued a casino would worsen traffic, gambling addictions and overall irresponsibility.State Rep. Mary DuBuisson, a Slidell Republican who also drafted legislation for the complex, told a reporter that critics ― namely those in religious communities ― should seek comfort in the project's economic might."I think ultimately they will have more money in their baskets that they pass around at their churches," DuBuisson said. "That should make them happy."The project's critics will have a chance to voice their case at a public hearing on Wednesday, June 30, before parish council members vote on the plan. Louisiana's gaming control board would then need to approve the casino license. Advancement would send the complex's fate to parish voters in November. With approval, a groundbreaking could come as early as December.

The name of the proposed $325 million resort and casino for Slidell has been revealed.

P2E announced that the casino will be named Camellia Bay Resort and Casino.

The person who submitted the winning name, Kimberly Frady, an Ochsner RN, received a check for $5,000.

Her submission was chosen from more than 7,000 proposed names.

St. Tammany voters are set to approve or deny the casino on the October ballot.

The proposal has been met with opposition from community members and parish leaders.

Earlier reports:

The company hoping to give eastern St. Tammany Parish a casino is throwing more money behind its idea.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment revealed an updated proposal for a resort in Slidell's Oak Harbor neighborhood Tuesday. The $325 million plan ― up from the initial $250 million draft ― would add a convention space, outdoor amphitheater, lazy river and upgrades to an adjacent marina.

St. Tammany Parish government and economic development leaders lauded the additions at an afternoon news conference, praising Peninsula Pacific for incorporating the public's suggestions.

"We wanted to make sure we have a relationship for the long term with this project, and we got that," St. Tammany Corporation CEO Christopher Masingill said. "We wanted certain representation as it relates to St. Tammanians being able to work at this project, and we got that."

Supporters also argued the parish would see a return on the company's investment. A total of 5% of its gaming revenue would go toward local governments: the parish, the city and drainage projects, among other destinations.

"Now we've laid all the cards out on the table," said state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, a Slidell Republican who drafted legislation to advance the project. "It is really important to us, and it's something I think our community needs and deserves."

Yet religious groups remain opposed. Groups like the Louisiana Family Forum and churches throughout St. Tammany Parish have argued a casino would worsen traffic, gambling addictions and overall irresponsibility.

State Rep. Mary DuBuisson, a Slidell Republican who also drafted legislation for the complex, told a reporter that critics ― namely those in religious communities ― should seek comfort in the project's economic might.

"I think ultimately they will have more money in their baskets that they pass around at their churches," DuBuisson said. "That should make them happy."

The project's critics will have a chance to voice their case at a public hearing on Wednesday, June 30, before parish council members vote on the plan. Louisiana's gaming control board would then need to approve the casino license. Advancement would send the complex's fate to parish voters in November. With approval, a groundbreaking could come as early as December.

Camellia Bay Resort chosen name for proposed Slidell casino

St. Tammany Parish government, business leaders tout project for Oak Harbor area

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