ICYMI: Village Says It's Working On Agreement With GC Casino

GARDEN CITY, NY — The Village of Garden City says it is working on a deal to keep the Garden City Casino open and operating as a tennis club, contrary to rumors the village is trying to close it.

The Garden City Casino is a tennis and social club which is owned by the village. It was founded in 1895, and is still located on Cathedral Avenue. Recently, the building's lease has come up, and members want the village to grant a long-term extension. Contention seemed to arise over whether the village would grant it or not.

"We are interested in working out a plan with Casino members that both parties can be comfortable with," Mayor Theresa Trouvé said in a statement.

The Casino's original agreement expired in 2020, but was granted a one-year extension by the village to January 2021, and a second extension to January 2022.

The Casino circulated a petition among its members and the community to implore the village to keep the institution the way it is, and to give it a long-term lease agreement. "I agree that if The Casino members are expected to pay for long term capital improvements to the building, they need a long term license agreement," the petition reads in part.

The village said that, while touring the building last October, the Board of Trustees found that it was in good condition, but there was some work needed: the roof and dry wells in the patio needed improvement, as did the HVAC system.

The board said that it is committed to working with the members of the Casino to reach an "amicable agreement" on the use of the site.