Construction forms are in the ground and aggregate covers the site of a new gaming centre set to open in Maple Ridge in about a year.

On Friday afternoon, Great Canadian Gaming Corp.’s executives joined Maple Ridge dignitaries and others from the community to officially break ground for the Maple Ridge Community Gaming Centre.

Maple Ridge’s economic development officer Sandy Blue said the centre will be a “showpiece” in the District and, as a destination, will attract people to the community.

The corporation is extending 227th Street so that it will connect Haney Bypass to Lougheed Highway.

The 28,000-square-foot gaming centre will include slot machines and bingo seats, but no live tables.

Howard Blank, vice-president of Great Canadian Gaming Corp., said the new centre will be “the right-sized product” for Maple Ridge, comparable to their Chilliwack facility.

Blank said he’s been meeting with local community groups and hopes the gaming centre becomes “part of the fabric of the community.”