The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is ready for a night of fun and games.
Their Vegas Night, planned for Oct. 22 at the Aggie Hall, will be fitting of an unforgettable, or forgettable, night on the strip.
Dinner will be served in a Vegas-themed food court surrounded by Vegas-style fun, by Elite Casino, with several casino games to light up the night.
But don’t worry about breaking the bank, it’s all for Monopoly money. However money raised from ticket sales and the live and silent auction — and the grand prize of a train trip from Vancouver to Jasper — will be going towards the estimated $250,000 needed to fix up the old train station off Trans-Canada Highway.
The vision, said Rob Waters, chamber president, is for the building to become the new Visitor Centre/Chamber office and perhaps house some other Ladysmith amenities.
“What we are hoping is that early next year the train is going to get back on the track,” Waters said of VIA Rail passenger service. Money has been pledged by the provincial and federal government to make it happen. A trestle assessment is currently underway.
The facility is owned by the Island Corridor Foundation and the chamber has been in close contact with the group about what has been happening.
Water said they do not know if a lease will be signed through the town and given to the chamber or if the lease will go straight to the chamber.
“To me it’s a great location,” said Waters, noting the highway visibility should pull in some of the traffic zooming by on the highway.
The parking space is greater near the station, said Waters, and there could be a shuttle taking people into town.
And there’s plenty of room for more than the Visitor Centre, said Waters, noting there could be space made available for a small market or other business.
For more information or for tickets to the Vegas Night, please call 250-245-2112.