by David La Torre, La Torre Communications

Meadow Lands, PA — Fulfilling its promise to design one of the east coast’s premier casinos, officials from the Meadows Racetrack & Casino today unveiled its plans for a $155 million casino that includes a 200-room hotel and luxury spa. The permanent 350,000 square-foot casino, which will create 1,200 jobs, is slated to open in early 2009.

Hotel and spa guests will have direct access to the gaming floor, restaurants, entertainment facilities and racetrack. The hotel and spa are expected to add another 125 jobs.

“I wish we could open our new permanent casino today because our plans are spectacular,” said Bill Paulos, a principal of Las Vegas-based Cannery Casinos Resorts (CCR), which owns The Meadows. “The addition of a hotel and luxury spa will make The Meadows Racetrack & Casino a true destination entertainment experience that will draw more visitors to southwestern Pennsylvania. It also enhances our desire to contribute to the economic development of the region.”

The permanent casino will integrate the long-standing tradition of harness racing at The Meadows with state-of-the-art gaming facilities. Featuring 3,000 slot machines, the casino will provide a covered grandstand area overlooking the racetrack. VIP boxes will also be available and provide a select view of the horse racing. A separate entrance at track level will lead to a simulcast area and wagering lobby. Approximately 12,500 square feet of multifunctional space will accommodate a variety of live entertainment venues as well as banquets and conferences.

There will be three featured dining facilities, which include a premiere steak house, a specialty restaurant which overlooks the racetrack and a food court. A centrally located lounge and bar will feature panoramic views of both the gaming floor and the racetrack. The food court will be circular in design and accessible from both the gaming floor and the grandstands. It will accommodate a number of different food outlets and provide seating for 200 guests.

The hotel, which will be operated by CCR, will include an outdoor swimming pool. The spa will be state-of-the-art and leased to an experienced operator.

“This is an exciting time for The Meadows, our employees and the community,” said Meadows Vice President and General Manager Mike Graninger. “Since opening our casino we’ve experienced increases in attendance at our track and our casino is exceeding all expectations. People are excited about The Meadows, and they’re excited about harness racing again. Our permanent casino is going to provide even more thrills in the years to come.”

The Meadows’ temporary casino opened June 11, becoming the first casino in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Amazingly, the temporary casino was built in about seven months. The 82,000-square-foot temporary casino includes 1,738 slot machines, a 360-seat all-you-can-eat restaurant, a snack bar, gift shop and sports bar.

The vast majority of the construction and subsequent goods and services have come from area businesses. Close to 1,000 local jobs will be created for construction of the temporary and permanent casinos. The Meadows also hired area residents to fill nearly all of the 500 jobs in the temporary casino.

“As we’ve said, The Meadows really sees the local community as our partner,” Graninger said. “Our first priority will always be to fill job openings with local residents because our current team is the best in the state. We are also happy to work with so many talented and dedicated local businesses every day.”

“We also hope our visitors enjoy staying at our hotel and patronize other local businesses they otherwise wouldn’t have time for if they were on a day trip. The spa will be tremendous and give people another reason to visit The Meadows.”

Work on the permanent casino will begin shortly after the $450,000 Coors Delvin Miller Adios XLI on Saturday — one of the nation’s premier races for 3-year-old pacers. One tradition returning to the Adios this year is a doubleheader card with post times of 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Adios will be part of the afternoon card. The Meadows also will feature programs Monday through Friday, highlighted by Grand Circuit racing, leading to the Adios Day doubleheader.

The track’s 44-year-old grandstand will be removed a couple weeks following the Adios to make way for the permanent casino. Live racing will be on hiatus for two months, but simulcast wagering will be available and The Meadows’ off-track sites will remain open.

CCR owns two highly regarded resorts in Las Vegas — the Rampart Casino and the Cannery Casino & Hotel. Construction began in March on a second Cannery branded casino in Las Vegas.

The permanent casino is being designed by Climans Green Liang Architects, Inc. (CGL), a leading full service architectural firm specializing in gaming and entertainment projects throughout North America. In addition to The Meadows, CGL has designed Tioga Downs, Nichols, N.Y., and Georgian Downs, Ontario, Canada as well as other racino projects in Ontario, Quebec, New Mexico and the Caribbean.

LPCiminelli, which served as the construction manager of the temporary casino, will also oversee the completion of the permanent facility. LPCiminelli has managed the construction and renovation of major gaming and racing projects at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, Farmington, N.Y.; Southland Greyhound Park, West Memphis, Ark.; and Daytona Kennel Club, Daytona Beach, Fla.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the fast completion and quality of our temporary casino so it was important to keep the design and construction team together,” Graninger said. “Their work has been simply outstanding.”