Pictured is a rendering of the expansion project proposed by Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. upon receipt of the fourth casino license to be awarded in the Southern Tier. Any word on the approval of this application could arrive by fall. (Photo by Paige C. Pelletier)
Pictured is a rendering of the expansion project proposed by Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. upon receipt of the fourth casino license to be awarded in the Southern Tier. Any word on the approval of this application could arrive by fall. (Photo by Paige C. Pelletier)
Pictured is a rendering of the expansion project proposed by Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. upon receipt of the fourth casino license to be awarded in the Southern Tier. Any word on the approval of this application could arrive by fall. (Photo by Paige C. Pelletier)
Pictured is a rendering of the expansion project proposed by Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. upon receipt of the fourth casino license to be awarded in the Southern Tier. Any word on the approval of this application could arrive by fall. (Photo by Paige C. Pelletier)
Pictured is a rendering of the expansion project proposed by Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. upon receipt of the fourth casino license to be awarded in the Southern Tier. Any word on the approval of this application could arrive by fall. (Photo by Paige C. Pelletier)
On Tuesday, at 3:15 p.m. in the Winner’s Circle at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs, presented hopes for the future of Tioga Downs.
Now, with no one bidding against him, the future seems bright for the casino and for the expansion plans, which are in progress. Gural stated he is optimistic, and hopes to hear news of a decision for Tioga Downs by Labor Day.
It is hoped that by this time next year we will all experience a totally new Tioga Downs,” said Gural
The original plans for expansion in 2014 had the casino growing 391,000 sq. ft., but now it has increased another 229,000 sq. ft. for a combined total of 620,000 sq. ft. This growth isn’t just in the size of the casino, but also in opportunities for employment.
Gural estimates that between 400 and 500 potential new jobs will be added. He has not factored in seasonal or part-time jobs, but he expects that there will be huge growth in those areas as well.
This expansion had been planned in two different phases.
Phase one includes a hotel, which will include pools, a spa, and a ballroom for special events; of course it also includes a poker room and slot machines for an all-new gaming floor experience. The first phase will also involve a golf course, and the renovation of the Tioga Country Club.
The second phase will possibly include a second hotel and a water park or indoor motorcar center. These plans are huge and are certain to draw visitors from all over to experience Tioga Downs.
This huge change could be just what the Southern Tier needs, though it costs around 125 million to expand and another 25 million for the license. But from what is being presented within the plan, it will be well worth the cost.
Gural says that one million dollars a year will be given to non-profits, 500 thousand will be in a revolving fund for small businesses, and the tax revenue for Tioga and Nichols will end up being a million and a half while Broome’s expected revenue is four and a half million.
The main purpose of this renovation, as Gural stated multiple times, is to turn Tioga Downs into an experience and a destination.
Gural added, “We live in a prime location, nestled in nature, near enough to the Finger Lakes that Tioga Downs has the potential to run wine tour buses. The potential for growth is great and the returns for helping Tioga grow would be beneficial for everyone in the Southern Tier.”
In March, the Gaming Commission announced it would accept another round of applications for a fourth license. And although the Gaming Commission stated that there is no guarantee another license will be awarded, if it does award a fourth, it will be in the fall of this year.
Tioga Downs submitted their application last Thursday, July 2. It is the second application for Tioga Downs, as their first application was denied last year when the GFLB awarded the Southern Tier License to Lago Resort and Casino in Tyre, N.Y.
Gural worked hard to get the proposition on the ballot that would allow full gaming in New York, often expending his own money in these efforts.
Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs, joined in a media conference on Tuesday where expansion plans for Tioga Downs’ casino in Nichols, N.Y. were discussed. (Photo by Paige C. Pelletier)
Remaining optimistic, Gural stated that he suspects the Gaming Commission will make a decision after Labor Day, and believes hearings will begin in August. He also hopes that the Gaming Commission will visit the area.
It was announced by the Gaming Commission on Monday that Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. is the only applicant for the fourth gaming license to be awarded in the Southern Tier Region.
To stay informed on the process behind the fourth license, you can visit the Gaming Commission’s website at http://gaming.ny.gov. There you can find video clips from their meetings, tweets, and any documents relative to the process.
To learn more about Tioga Downs, visit them at www.tiogadowns.com.
