Project will include hotel, spa, bingo hall, and ‘major events centre’ to accommodate up to 1,000 guests: band councilPublished Sep 01, 2026 • Last updated Sep 01, 2026 • 2 minute readAn artist’s rendering of the proposed Wolastoq River Resort Casino. Photo by SUBMITTED/ST MARY’S FIRST NATIONFredericton is getting a new casino, the chief and council of Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation) announced on Monday night.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the e-Edition, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the e-Edition, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to keep reading.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite journalists.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsArticle contentIn a message posted on social media, the band council announced that “an agreement has been reached and signed with our existing partners at Wolastoq Casino to build, develop, and operate the new Wolastoq River Resort Casino.”The plan is to build the 30,000-square-foot building at 489 Union St., where the former MacLean’s Sports store was housed, and to acquire four city-owned to the east, on Cliffe Street, that will also be part of the facility.“The agreement establishes the framework for project development, operations, financing, and long-term growth while reinforcing the nation’s economic development objectives,” the post read, adding that construction is expected to begin as soon as next summer. A completion date wasn’t included in the post.The project must get council approval.According to the post, the casino’s “major event centre” will be able to host up to 1,000 guests, and will include a bingo hall and a “full-service hotel and spa with more than 100 guest rooms.”By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Article contentArticle content“Building on the success of the existing Wolastoq Casino, the project is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create sustainable employment opportunities, attract visitors from across Atlantic Canada, and produce long-term benefits for current and future generations of Sitansisk members,” the post reads.Jobs will be available in gaming, hospitality, food services, entertainment, maintenance, security, administration, and management.“Importantly, the new agreement contains financial security provisions designed to protect the nation and its members,” the post read. “These provisions are intended to ensure St. Mary’s First Nation receives annual revenues that exceed those generated by the current casino operations, even in the event that future resort revenues do not initially meet projected levels.”Under a heading of “next steps,” the post says that the band needs to form an operating company “that will manage project development, operations, and secure project financing.” Then it needs to complete the “addition to reserve” process to acquire the former MacLean’s property, negotiate with the city about getting the additional properties.Article contentWhile Sitansisk Chief Alan Polchies didn’t respond to an interview request, Trina MacDonald, the general manager of Fredericton North Inc., was excited to hear the news.The casino and hotel will have “huge impacts (on) our ability to attract tourists and visitors to the north side of Fredericton, and the spin-offs that that will incur are going to be great for business,” MacDonald said.And while space on Main Street and Union Street are at a premium, she expects some new businesses will be attracted by the project and “pop up” here and there.“There was always talk that the hotel was coming, and we knew that St. Mary’s First Nation was looking at that very seriously. But now that it’s a public announcement, it’s an exciting step forward.”Mayor Steve Hicks was out of town and unavailable to comment, said spokesperson Shasta Stairs, who sent a statement on the city’s behalf.“This proposed project is in the very early stages, and the city looks forward to further discussions with Sitansisk regarding their plans and aspirations for their community,” Stairs said, adding that the city is “aware” of the project.“No decisions have been made regarding zoning, engineering or the acquisition of land currently owned by the City of Fredericton.”Article content
New casino, hotel complex coming to N.B.
