Gateway Casinos and Entertainment’s Cascades Casino project in North Bay, Ontario, is now expected to open for business in early 2022.

The official opening date of the casino, which had initially been scheduled to open in 2020, will be announced shortly, reports the North Bay Nugget.

The site of the casino broke ground in 2019 before construction was derailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Work resumed in April 2021 the Nugget reports things are looking “encouraging” for an opening date in 2022.

“It’s on schedule and we’re quite focused and pleased with the progress we’ve made” said Rob Mitchell, director of communications and public affairs for Gateway Casinos. “We believe strongly that North Bay will be a great market for us.”

The casino project is expected to cost $31 million and create up to 300 jobs when open.

The North Bay casino is currently in the process of hiring staff for its opening in the new year and will be hosting a virtual job fair from Dec. 7 to 15. Available positions include shift managers, card dealers, cooks, bartenders and kitchen staff, technicians, cleaning crews, and more.

Mitchell said he has been in constant communication with North Bay Mayor Al McDonald’s office and local MPs to ensure everything remains on schedule for the 2022 opening.