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PAGE 10 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1995 rant prices and thus some of the businesses quoted were saying that it has kept them from bankruptcy. Jobs are thus generated in more Previously, Ford, Chrysler, and GM were the determining factors in how many jobs there were or Mbw much there was to pay profesâ€" sionals. Housing construction, dental visits, legal visits all related to the automobile cycle. This Casino has the potential of being conâ€" stant and less subject to the vagaries of the local economy. The result has been a renewed enthusiasm in the people. There is a lesson in this. The economy of a local area is really subâ€" ject to a business cycle that may not relate at all to the national eycle. Indeed, Waterioo region is a good example. At a time when the unemployment rates are rising across the rest of the country, they fall in Waterloo Region. At a time when people are leaving Canada and Ontario, Waterloo Region is growing. The fact is that Waterioo Region is much more diversified and less dependent on one industry than many communities. That is a good lesson for those interested in economic development â€" it is best to work toward diversified development. A second lesson might be that the insurance companies and uniâ€" versities provide a nonâ€"cyclical business base for this region. Some of you might be aware that I have done some work in the past with the impact the universities have had of this community and as we watch some students arriving this week (Laurier, MBA starts fall term this week) and as more arrive Labour Day weekend, we will see the impact they have on our community. Not only do these stuâ€" dents provide money for local purchases while they are students but many want to stay within the community and provide new jobs (through starting businesses) and provide a base for housing and other sellers. The economic impact is many times the amount in the university budget, most of which is spent locally too by the universiâ€" ties and by the employees. In other words, there is a significant ecoâ€" such as the Canadian Health Economics Research Association conâ€" ference which I have been so involved with for the last six months generate spending within the community and provide jobs which is a wonderful impact to experience. The local community is a big factor when determining developâ€" ment. It is only to be hoped that every citizen look carefully at all the ramifications of development â€" which raises another question, whatever happened to the promised development of a computer games centre which was bandied about during the last election? Since February, I have had to make several trips to Windsor area as my 83â€"year old father has been in and out of the hospital. On a recent weekend foray, the local newspaper was criticizing Mike Harms for wanting to have a local referendum on the Casino. It demonstrates a principle I think is worth noting â€" it is much easier to start something than to end it. A solution might be to provide sunset clauses in all government legislation and corporations. According to prominent locals, the Casino has had a big impact on some businesses and has not generated the crime which the police expected. Furthermore, Gamblers Anonymous and a religious group were quoted as saying they would not play a role in the local referâ€" endum because they are nonâ€"political. In other words, the local paper was arguing that the government would be wasting a miniâ€" mum of $100,000 to run a referendum in that part of the province while the Casino is morally wrong, it has been such an economic and psychological boost to the city they do not wish to see destroyed. Since opening of the Casino, I have had difficulty getting motel reservations on short notice and even a week prior to the trip. The price has also risen. As compared to preâ€"Casino days, when I did not have an American Association of Retired Person‘s card, I pay about $15 to $20 more (and if I did not have the seniors (50 and over by the way) discount I would pay another $20 more per night). Clearly the motel industry is making a significant economic rent because of the Casino. Other entertainment costs have risen including restauâ€" as Mike Harris has said he would do. â€" â€" As I quizzed people about the Casino, even Christians agreed that Local development Dougias McCready is an economics professor at Wilfrid Laurier *# # 7 CA \ lt , * 7 a ty "We choose Laurier for our conferences because we wanted to get away from the hotel and conference centre atmosphere and put our people into a school environment," said Charlotte Ewbank, the CUCO Manager of Director Development and School Proâ€" grams. The threeâ€"week program, which runs every May and June, attracts up to 300 credit union employees from as far as Kenora, Cormwall and Windsor. "Over the years we‘ve grown with Laurier. They‘ve given us good service and because they locate us in Bricker Hall, we‘re able to use the lounge area, which is important for networking purposes. For a school, their food is great and the facilities are just what‘s required by our group." The hotel, which offers individual rooms for families or dormâ€"style lodging for up to 1,000, haves also been used by firefighters, accountants, musicians and even a former United States president. "Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn, stayed here one night the use of the Physical Activities Complex. Laurier even has an inâ€" house publication department which can produce brochures for those who need information packâ€" "It‘s oneâ€"stop shopping from our own publication department to our tral Ontario (CUCO) since the unveiling of the conference hall 22 Snyder is in charge of Laurier Hotel and Conference Centre, which opens its doors to travellers and special groups at an affordable price. While the conference centre is a yearâ€"round business, the hotel part of her job only applies when the students are away for the sumâ€" mer months. "If you don‘t get the (conference and trade) business by December, you won‘t get it at all," said Snyâ€" Laurier can accommodate conferâ€" ence groups of up to 500 persons and provide them with audio video, classrooms, lecture halls and even Laurier has been the meeting place for the Credit Union of Cenâ€" It‘s like stepping back in time when you enter Mel‘s Diner, located in Unit 7 â€" 140 University Ave. W. in Waterloo. 'Wedidalotofmeearchbefm-eopeningflfisplaoe,' said coâ€"owner Elizabeth Smith. Smith and her husâ€" band, Seott, and her mother Oiga McNally, have been in the restaurant business in the London area for s years, but they never 53 expected business in Waterâ€" + / loo to be as brisk as it has * L4 during the past week. From the chrome stools to the pink waitress uniforms, standard issue back in t.he‘50..Mel’sDinerhumpturedthespiritofthat Chronicle Staff â€" Glennice Snyder is always on the lookout for those wanting to hold trade shows and conferences in the Waterioo area. As the Coordinator, Conference and Special Events at Wilfrid Laurier University, Snyder promotes the benefits of WLU as a ‘hotel‘ to the numerous groups interested in coming to Waterloo for conferences, seminars and special events. With 23 Ontario univerâ€" sities offering similar packages, including University of Waterloo, competition, at times, can be fierce. Mel‘s Diner open for business era. The Smiths took a pa&e_o\;E of t tl;;"tevlevvx;:t; script ‘Alice‘ in creating Mel‘s Diner. "We thought that being in this location we‘d be attracting mostly wuda:m, but we have customers of all ages coming in here." ,,,, .. | _ _ _ _ WLU opens doors to traveller/conventioners Hotel Waterloo Giennice Snyder, who heads the Coordinator, Conference and Speâ€" auemnmmwuuwmmmm ley, right, expect to serve over 8,000 this summer. Couceceevieranaaen‘e p I ional The Grand Valley Chapter of the Internatio ‘ Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Chamber of Commerce pré sent Mac Voising, president of M&M Meat Shops tember 13 poolside at the WaterIco Inn. Voisin siwamofivafianlhlknbw&flmm the crucial item.;:eed.d ”h‘_ A registration information c itact the IABC % w“ml-m-tfl'fl. Cncviladn, comiiuninainareiac s .. facilities in the summer and pour the revenue into the residence program," said Reynolds. _ _ Unlike Laurier, UW only operates its conference centre during the summer months. However, UW can hold conferences for up to 1,500 people, and with four dir“i:gmfadfifiumfldie,wuuh;empilm P This past summer UW has been the host of Basket workshops as well as numerous hockey camps. former Schlotzsky‘s Deli. It has a seating capacity of 70&@% 7 a.m. to midnight Monday to urant are 7 a.m. Wednesday;, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday to Saturday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday Voisin to speak at IABC/Chamber meeting can also be ordered. . Keeping the student residence occupied with sumâ€" mer visitors, is an important source of income for the university. Including last weekend, the university has seen over 8,000 visitors go through its doors. At University of Waterloo, Conference Centre Manâ€" ager David Reynolds, is expecting close to 10,000 peoâ€" ple to come to the university for one reason or another "Our mission statement is to use the existing when they were up here for Habitat for Humanity," said Snyder. This past summer Laurier has been busy lodging national baseball players, Susuki Concert musicians, wedding guests and tourists who want to call Waterâ€" loo home for a night or two. "Right now we have people here from Scotland and Ireland." . dhmanes Snyder admits that Laurier i8 no Waterloo Inn or Holiday Inn, but it has all the amenities offered at the larger and more expensive inns. Daily room service is offered along with cafeteriaâ€"style meals. Special meals The 1,600â€"squareâ€"foot restaurant is located in the