River Cree rings in 2016 with new entertainment centre

EDMONTON – A new entertainment centre opens on New Year’s Eve at the River Cree Resort and Casino.

The centre has been under construction since the fall, and work will continue on the facility into 2016. Construction is expected to finish during the first few months of the new year.

“Our top priority is the experience and enjoyment of our guests, and with this new entertainment centre we’ll be able to provide amazing concert experiences for people from the Edmonton area and visitors from everywhere for many years to come,” Robert Morin, CEO of River Cree Enterprises, said.

READ MORE: River Cree shuts down concert tent after safety review

Construction on the new centre began after the former entertainment venue was shut down in March because engineers determined the structure, a large white tent, had a building code deficiency.

A temporary venue, another tent-like structure, has been up since the spring. But people living near the River Cree complained concerts inside the temporary structure were too loud.

READ MORE: ‘I could make out the lyrics’ – Edmonton residents complain about loud concerts at casino

“What you see here today is a double membrane, with a lot of insulation between the two layers,” said Chief Operating Officer Vik Mahajan.

He insisted the organization has done tests, and noise will no longer disturb any nearby residents.

The first show at the new entertainment centre will feature a Beatles tribute band, which will perform at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday.

“I think the actual acoustics are going to work better here with the actual walls being the way they are, rather than the tent which absorbs a lot of the sound,” said Gavin Pring of The Fab Four.

“We’re the first act to be performing here, so we’re looking forward to breaking it in,” he said.