Weirs Casino Considered

TiltonBB · 01-29-2025, 08:03 AM

“This council needs to look at a lot more than what we’ve been able to look at at this point, so I move to table this until May,” Cheney said.

From the Laconia Sun:

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...c0b40d938.html

John Mercier · 01-29-2025, 11:35 AM

I chuckled pretty hard when Flanagan suggested that the Weirs might be more like Meredith or Wolfeboro.

codeman671 · 01-29-2025, 11:56 AM

From the article:

" I don’t think it’s the correct spot to have any type of casino in that beautiful tourist area."

I wouldn't exactly classify the Weirs as a beautiful area! Some of things I have witnessed down there makes my head spin. They don't call it Weird Beach for nuthin'.

Descant · 01-29-2025, 12:20 PM

The Weirs should be re-organized as a Village District stretching from e.g. White Oaks Road to the Tamarack. Thinking of it as the beach and a few hundred yards north will never work.
More like Meredith and Wolfeboro? I'd be happy to have their docking facilities in Laconia.

Center Harbor's tourist trade appears to be growing. Can't wait to see the Laconia City Council wiping egg off their face when the Mount, et al, announces CH will be their new permanent year round home port.

Biggd · 01-29-2025, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

From the article:

" I don’t think it’s the correct spot to have any type of casino in that beautiful tourist area."

I wouldn't exactly classify the Weirs as a beautiful area! Some of things I have witnessed down there makes my head spin. They don't call it Weird Beach for nuthin'.

While I agree, a casino will only make it worse.

John Mercier · 01-29-2025, 01:30 PM

You can't make that place worse.

When I am in other parts of the country and mention I am from New Hampshire, people open a conversation with me about Lake Winnipesaukee.

As soon as they get specific, and I mention being born in Laconia...
The room clears.

If I stated I was from Meredith or Wolfeboro, things would be different.

Laconia chose to make the Weirs what it is today, and has made that choice over and over.

Long gone are the days of the Big Bands and the Fine Dining.

WinnisquamZ · 01-29-2025, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

You can't make that place worse.

When I am in other parts of the country and mention I am from New Hampshire, people open a conversation with me about Lake Winnipesaukee.

As soon as they get specific, and I mention being born in Laconia...

The room clears.

If I stated I was from Meredith or Wolfeboro, things would be different.

Laconia chose to make the Weirs what it is today, and has made that choice over and over.

Long gone are the days of the Big Bands and the Fine Dining.

Disagree John, the city’s hands are tied very tight because of the veterans homes, current commercial property owners unwilling to upgrade or sell the families “cash cow” and poorly run establishments. There has been new money being invested over the past few years hopefully that pushes out others. Until then we enjoy it as it is

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

John Mercier · 01-29-2025, 02:40 PM

Of course they could.
Meredith is focused around boating.

Laconia could go upscale just by voiding some events in the Weirs for others...

Even my trip on the Mount could have been slightly upgraded. Maybe use a string quartet rather than a rock/pop band, table service rather than buffet, and other minor things.

It is about setting the expectation that leads the way.
The reason a casino is being considered (and Belmont is really quiet) is that the owners proposing it are expecting a certain type of clientele.

If they were expecting the clientele of Monaco, that would be an upgrade; and fit in nicely with the boating culture.

FlyingScot · 01-29-2025, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Disagree John, the city’s hands are tied very tight because of the veterans homes, current commercial property owners unwilling to upgrade or sell the families “cash cow” and poorly run establishments. There has been new money being invested over the past few years hopefully that pushes out others. Until then we enjoy it as it is

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Hands tied? Every time the city rolls out the red carpet for Bike Week, or even entertains the notion of something like a casino, they make an active decision to maintain the current vibe and discourage development similar to Meredith and Wolfeboro.

We can debate whether this stuff is good or bad, but let's not pretend there's nothing the city can do to influence the situation--they are doing it

John Mercier · 01-29-2025, 05:33 PM

An event is always going to be more problematic than a seasonal undertaking.

A business has to focus on a short term barrage of customers rather than the steady repeat customers that can build a solid foundation.

Mr. V · 01-29-2025, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

An event is always going to be more problematic than a seasonal undertaking.

Not always.

Farm stands sell seasonally and make a profit; Spirit Halloween is only open for a short time before Halloween and they seem to do fine.

John Mercier · 02-03-2025, 07:19 PM

Events have a large surge of participants in a short period of time.
Much harder than if that is spread over a season.

Bike Week gears up with temporary tents and vendors, which is not conducive to investment in brick and mortar structures.

01-29-2025, 08:03 AM	#1
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,022 Thanks: 704 Thanked 2,203 Times in 937 Posts	Decision delayed until Spring “This council needs to look at a lot more than what we’ve been able to look at at this point, so I move to table this until May,” Cheney said. From the Laconia Sun: https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...c0b40d938.html

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Biggd (01-29-2025)

01-29-2025, 11:35 AM	#2
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,457 Thanks: 3 Thanked 609 Times in 503 Posts	I chuckled pretty hard when Flanagan suggested that the Weirs might be more like Meredith or Wolfeboro.

01-29-2025, 11:56 AM	#3
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,505 Thanks: 221 Thanked 817 Times in 490 Posts	From the article: " I don’t think it’s the correct spot to have any type of casino in that beautiful tourist area." I wouldn't exactly classify the Weirs as a beautiful area! Some of things I have witnessed down there makes my head spin. They don't call it Weird Beach for nuthin'.

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Biggd (01-29-2025)

01-29-2025, 12:20 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,399 Thanks: 1,360 Thanked 1,632 Times in 1,064 Posts	The Weirs should be re-organized as a Village District stretching from e.g. White Oaks Road to the Tamarack. Thinking of it as the beach and a few hundred yards north will never work. More like Meredith and Wolfeboro? I'd be happy to have their docking facilities in Laconia. Center Harbor's tourist trade appears to be growing. Can't wait to see the Laconia City Council wiping egg off their face when the Mount, et al, announces CH will be their new permanent year round home port.

01-29-2025, 01:30 PM	#6
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,457 Thanks: 3 Thanked 609 Times in 503 Posts	You can't make that place worse. When I am in other parts of the country and mention I am from New Hampshire, people open a conversation with me about Lake Winnipesaukee. As soon as they get specific, and I mention being born in Laconia... The room clears. If I stated I was from Meredith or Wolfeboro, things would be different. Laconia chose to make the Weirs what it is today, and has made that choice over and over. Long gone are the days of the Big Bands and the Fine Dining.

01-29-2025, 02:40 PM	#8
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,457 Thanks: 3 Thanked 609 Times in 503 Posts	Of course they could. Meredith is focused around boating. Laconia could go upscale just by voiding some events in the Weirs for others... Even my trip on the Mount could have been slightly upgraded. Maybe use a string quartet rather than a rock/pop band, table service rather than buffet, and other minor things. It is about setting the expectation that leads the way. The reason a casino is being considered (and Belmont is really quiet) is that the owners proposing it are expecting a certain type of clientele. If they were expecting the clientele of Monaco, that would be an upgrade; and fit in nicely with the boating culture.

The Following User Says Thank You to FlyingScot For This Useful Post:
Biggd (01-29-2025)

01-29-2025, 05:33 PM	#10
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,457 Thanks: 3 Thanked 609 Times in 503 Posts	An event is always going to be more problematic than a seasonal undertaking. A business has to focus on a short term barrage of customers rather than the steady repeat customers that can build a solid foundation.

02-03-2025, 07:19 PM	#12
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,457 Thanks: 3 Thanked 609 Times in 503 Posts	Events have a large surge of participants in a short period of time. Much harder than if that is spread over a season. Bike Week gears up with temporary tents and vendors, which is not conducive to investment in brick and mortar structures.

The Following User Says Thank You to John Mercier For This Useful Post:
Billy Bob (02-03-2025)