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Casino Rama is making plans to reopen.

But it will be open by invitation only, there will be no table games available and no food or beverage service.

Rama First Nation Chief Ted Williams made the announcement today.

“We have been working with Gateway Casino officials and Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) for several months to explore options for the safe opening of Casino Rama,” said Williams.

Casino Rama and all provincial casinos were closed by the OLG in mid-March. While most other casinos have already re-opened, the massive gaming facility east of Orillia remained closed. Officials had said that, due to the size of the casino, it didn't make sense to re-open when only 50 people could be inside the building.

Today, Williams announced all parties “agreed on opening ... after consultation with the Rama COVID-19 Task Force, based on their overall satisfaction with safety plans.”

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Williams and members of the First Nations council recently visited Georgian Downs, which is also operated by Gateway. That facility has been open, on a limited basis with extensive COVID protocols, for several weeks.

“We went to see the effect of the business with the proper protocols in place,” said Williams.

He said the Innisfil facility is adhering to public health guidelines by limiting the number of patrons to 50, mandating masks for patrons and staff at all times, signage that promotes safe practices and hand sanitizing stations.

He also noted “staff (are) ready to enforce protocols as is needed.”

Williams stressed there have been no COVID cases related to the casino in Innisfil.

“This week, (chief and council) toured Casino Rama with the COVID Task Force to talk about what we needed to see in our community,” said Williams.

During a video address to the community, Williams read some of the comments from unnamed task force members.

“I would be satisfied and comfortable with suggesting that reopening would be best for the community and the employees working for Casino Rama,” one member said.

Another said: “We were also glad to know there will be no food and beverage services as this eliminates additional risk.”

Another said “the system implemented for contact tracing with registration, facial recognition and video surveillance is better than some others in place.”

Williams said “it will take seven to 10 days to restore operations.” He said “our first priority is our community safety.”

Robert Mitchell, a spokesperson for Gateway, said there are still 'a number of steps' Gateway must go through before a re-opening date can be determined.

'When those details are established, including a confirmed opening date, a formal re-opening announcement will be issued by Gateway,' said Mitchell.

He thanked Rama First Nation for the 'ongoing dialogue,' saying they 'appreciate their care and dedication in reviewing our Health and Safety Plan' meant to ensure the safety of the community, employees and guests.

'We are happy that they have reviewed Gateway's health and safety protocols for re-opening under the current government criteria and given their endorsement for Gateway to re-open Rama under those restrictions, which include a customer capacity of 50 patrons, no live table games and the mandatory use of face masks,' said Mitchell.

Unifor Local 1090 president Corey Dalton did not respond to a request for a comment in time for this story.

However, Orillia’s Tshweu Moleme, a Unifor representative at the casino, said he’s “encouraged” by the news.

“Of course, one can only be cautiously optimistic at this time, given the rising numbers with COVID-19 and the province’s tightening of some restrictions, but I do commend the work that Rama Chief and Council are doing, working with the company, and the union, to make sure that workers can return to work and the business can restart safely,” said Moleme.

“This is an important business and employer in our economic region and when it is down, the community feels it,” he said.

“As noted in an OrilliaMatters article, yesterday, even area charities are struggling without the Casino and its good-hearted employees.”

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It’s not clear how many employees might return to work under the new protocols.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available

Casino Rama has been closed for eight months, and local organizations that have benefited from its charitable program are feeling the loss.

Through its Casino Rama Cares program, the business has been The Sharing Place Food Centre’s largest corporate donor year over year.

“They were our No. 1 donor. It was a massive deal,” said Sharing Place executive director Chris Peacock. “It wasn't just about the huge organization. The employees were contributing.”

They donated more than 100 turkeys to The Sharing Place’s holiday hamper program. Employees also contributed cash and other food donations.

“We’d show up at Thanksgiving and we’d have to make a second trip,” Peacock said, still sounding surprised, and grateful for the employees’ generosity.

With the Casino Rama Cares program suspended during the facility’s shutdown, “we’ve had to spend more time and energy reaching out to other corporations to make up that loss,” Peacock said.

The Sharing Place has received support from other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not on the same level.

“It’s hard to find an organization that has the scale and reach that they had,” he said. “We’re being sensitive to the pandemic. It’s a tough time. Some companies are doing well; others are really worried. There’s no longer the large donations that were coming in before COVID, from a corporate standpoint.”

Peacock noted The Sharing Place isn’t the only organization that was supported through Casino Rama Cares.

The Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter was aided by the program, though not to the extent The Sharing Place was.

“Usually, when we’d apply, they’d step up right away,” said Lynn Thomas, development co-ordinator with the Lighthouse’s Building Hope campaign.

The support helped cover the cost of small appliances and utensils, among other items.

“They also used to send a huge team to Coldest Night of the Year,” Thomas said of the annual fundraiser, noting the casino has sent a team for the past five years, raising thousands of dollars to help combat homelessness. “We know they have a heart for charities in the area and supporting the vulnerable population.”

Christine Hager is chair of communications ministry at St. James’ Anglican Church. Casino Rama Cares funding has previously ensured the church had enough turkey to serve at its annual, free Christmas dinners.

Hager used to be involved with The Sharing Place and Couchiching Jubilee House and said those groups, too, received funding from the program.

“It’s a real shame. These sort of things, when they’re gone, are hard to replace,” she said.

The processing of applications to Casino Rama Cares is suspended, but it doesn’t look like it will disappear altogether.

“As our venues are allowed to reopen and resume normal operations, we will be able to begin reviewing pending applications and pick up where we left off with our community engagement activities,” said Rob Mitchell, director of communications and public affairs with Gateway Casinos and Entertainment.

Since Gateway acquired Casino Rama in 2018, Casino Rama Cares has assisted more than 300 charities and community groups to the tune of more than $350,000 in financial and in-kind support, Mitchell noted.

Gateway, he added, has done its best to continue to support communities during the pandemic.

“To help our local hospitals and health units during the pandemic, Gateway donated more than 80,000 units of masks and gloves to help keep them protected as they do their very important work,” he said.

When its casinos were forced to close earlier in the year, Gateway also “worked extremely hard to ensure we donated all perishable food items that would not keep,” Mitchell said.

“Our restaurants were able to provide community food bank and soup kitchens with more than $40,000 in perishable goods. We also provided them with over 49,000 units of cups, napkins and take-out containers to assist them in serving their clients.”

Mitchell said the company is proud to be operating in the area and supporting those in need.

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“We realize that many local organizations rely on our funding. We cannot wait to get back to a place where we can once again provide the support needed to build stronger, healthier and more vibrant communities,” he said.

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Casino Rama Cares is still accepting applications for support. More information about that can be found here.