As they made their grand entrance, Special Olympic Athletes – the indisputable stars of the show – were met with cheers and high-fives. Their presence undoubtedly contributed to the infectious energy that characterized this year’s motionball Toronto Gala presented by the AIRMILES Reward Program. So did a touching performance from Karl Wolf and empowering comments from everyone from motionaball founder Paul Etherington, to Olympic champion figure skater Tessa Virtue.
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The Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation welcomes the Lunar New Year with their 31st annual Dragon Ball. Being one of Canada’s largest charity galas celebrating Chinese New Year, they raised funds to support and expand the four Yee Hong geriatric centres across the Greater Toronto Area.
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Casino Woodbine is one of Toronto’s beloved gambling places first used as a racetrack in 1874. In 1956, after more than 80 years, it became an official racetrack for thoroughbred racing and has held prominent races such as the King’s Plate. The property has become a staple of the Toronto community today and has slowly expanded and updated its technology.
Casino Woodbine has a remarkable selection of more than 100 action-packed table games and 3,500 slot machines that you can play 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Table games include roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. Visitor numbers range from 25,000 to 30,000 for racetrack events, and these numbers increase every year.
Woodbine is also available online for those who don’t want to converse with one another in person, but table games and slot machines are also popular at this casino. Virtual roulette and stadium gaming are fun choices, and memberships are available for frequent visitors. This echoes the general sentiment on a number of land-based casinos which also offer their games online, delivering their promise of taking the games closer to the customers.
Casino Woodbine Plans Expansion
As the popularity of Woodbine has grown over the years, the racetrack has continued to expand. Its ownership has partnered with Metrolinx and Queen’s Park to build an expansion in the Etobicoke neighbourhood. The expansion has an estimated cost of $75 to $90 million and is expected to be a major tourist attraction for Toronto as well as a revenue generator and major employer. Funds were recently appropriated by the One Toronto Gaming partnership. Growth potential is considered to be enormous: Woodbine already employs 6,000 workers each day and is expected to hire another 5,000 with the expansion.
What Types of New Venues Are Part of the Expansion?
Woodbine offers many complimentary services for its patrons, including shuttle services from the Toronto Pearson International Airport and nearby hotels. However, as part of the expansion, the Metrolinx public transportation will reach the area, which has the potential to bring in more visitors.
Woodbine will diversify its offerings to include cultural destinations, food and dining, office space, shopping, and plans to add residential living areas. The goal for Woodbine Casino is to become not only a hub of activity for gaming and gambling, but also to be a destination for everyone visiting the Toronto area. Blueprints show that the expansion is making the effort to retain the racetrack ambiance and increase the overall architecture for the area. Walkways, additional parking in a seven-level garage, and updates will allow the casino to resemble a city within a city.
What Benefits Does the Expansion Bring to the Community?
When the Toronto City Council approved the plan to expand, it required that 40% of new hires come from the local area. The increased employment will be great for Toronto, and the additional revenue generated by visitors will ensure that Toronto’s economy continues to thrive. Due to the influx of visitors, the expansion will include an area for child care services in a new child care zone. This expansion will be used by casino visitors as well as employees at Casino Woodbine, allowing visitors and employees to work or play while their children are receiving care.
The expansion, although somewhat controversial, will develop an area of Toronto that is near the airport and could transform Toronto’s economy and nightlife. The changes will happen in several phases, gradually transforming the area and commerce of the community. Eventually, Woodbine will introduce a live entertainment facility and hotel tower with 12 stories and nearly 550 rooms, as well as retail buildings ranging from one to three stories high.
The updates have been long-awaited by developers, casino attendees, and Toronto’s community for many years, and it is an exciting time for Ontario. Whether you’re excited to work at Woodbine or planning your next weekend getaway here, be sure to keep abreast of new developments and updates as they occur. The new retail, dining, bars, and game areas have the potential to supply an unlimited amount of fun for Toronto and Casino Woodbine.
In celebration of Chinese New Year’s Year of the pig, the zodiac representing good luck and prosperity, Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation hosted their 30th annual benefit gala, “Dragon Ball”. Yee Hong is a non-profit organization for geriatric care was the first residential hospice built by the Chinese community in Scarborough.
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It is very easy to lapse into a predictable routine. However, when in Toronto, a little creativity with your evening plans is going to make you feel so entertained, even in your own hometown. Free time is precious and you should make the most out of it. Most of the time it passes so quickly that you don’t seem to have time to make a plan.
Here are some of the entertainment ideas that will keep you busy in Toronto.
Movies
This is one of the most common forms of entertainment for the people of Toronto. Thanks to the internet, you can simply open an online streaming app to watch your favourite movie anytime and anywhere but here there are many option like free outdoor movies in the park. This is the best way to escape the tension and stress of the day. It will transport you to a world of magic and fun. Check out the amazing IMAX screen at the Cinesphere for a whole new experience as well.
In case you do not want to watch a movie alone, you can go for a movie date with your partner or just ask your friend to catch a movie with you. Watching a movie with your family at night with some soda and popcorn is also a great idea.
Open Mic Nights
Believe it or not, this is one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Apart from enjoying the acts that are being presented by other people, you can get up on stage and showcase your own talent. You can tell jokes, share your story, or sing a song to entertain the people sitting there. In case you do not want to go to the stage, you can simply sit in the crowd and enjoy the performance. Toronto has a ton of Open Mic nights for you to enjoy.
Online Casino
This form of entertainment is becoming popular at a slow but steady pace. With time more and more people are taking an interest in playing games over the internet. There are several online casinos to choose from and most of these offer a wide range of games. In case you do not want to spend money, you can play the demo versions of the games in these Canadian online casinos, however, playing to win money sounds like a lot more fun.
Comedy Clubs
Stand-up comedy is the new trend. In case you are feeling low after a hard day at work, you can drop in one of the comedy clubs. This is a great way to entertain yourself. Most of the time than not the jokes is hilarious and you have a hearty laugh. This is an excellent way to let go of your joy and stress.
Concert
If you are a fan of live music and your favourite band is in town, you should just get the tickets. Listening to your favourite band perform is a lifetime experience and you should not miss out on this. However, even when you do not know the band, listening to live music can be an excellent form of entertainment. You might find yourself dancing to the beat of the music all throughout the night. So, make sure you wear those comfortable shoes.