At 8:08pm tonight, after a two hour VIP party, the forty-year-old Fraser Downs Racetrack Casino will open to the public as Elements Casino after a nearly $11 million upgrade.
The lower slots floor opened to the public earlier, but other than attendees at a company Christmas party, a preview for local scene media on Monday, and a few sneak peaks on social media, the unveiling of the rest of the 6 month renovation will be new to everybody.
The finishing touches are completed and tonight the 56,000 square foot property will welcome its first guests.
The former clubhouse area has been transformed into an entertainment venue called Escape. The venue’s stage, will host live bands at least twice a week. The stage and sound equipment are arranged to project sound away from the casino gaming area. The venue will accommodate up to 300 people so on non-concert days it can be used for gatherings, events, weddings and more.
A small stage in the new Molson Canadian Lounge in the casino’s entry atrium will host solo and acoustic musicians. The lounge can be reached from the 60th Avenue entrance and will seat about 60 people. Views of harness racing at the historic track will also be available from the venue except during summer months when the track itself is dark.
Dining venues include the Diamond Buffet, which is also positioned near the 60th Ave. main entrance and open 7 days a week, currently the only 7-day buffet in Surrey. On the main casino floor, visitors will also find a grab-and-go restaurant called Foodies offering quick serve burgers, sandwiches, snacks, and similar fast fare at reasonable prices.
Gaming improvements, in addition to engineered machine placement and an overall feng shui design element, include 12 more gaming tables including Squeeze Baccarat in a private area, Pai Gow, Double Deck Blackjack and a second Roulette wheel in addition to the existing Four Card Poker, Blackjack, Roulette and Ultimate Texas Hold’em tables.
A media handout describes Elements Casino’s mission to “serve as the entertainment destination of choice for many entertainment seekers as the new venue offers exciting gaming, racing, entertainment and dining options accompanied by unrivaled personal service,” the fact sheet stated.