On Wednesday, the long awaited reopening of Tioga Downs Casino Resort arrived as staff welcomed guests with stringent safety protocols put in place. But the 4 p.m. opening of the W. River Road casino in Nichols, N.Y. was anything but normal.
Upon entering the facility, a temperature check is administered and there are counters that keep the casino at the 25 percent capacity. Also in place is Plexiglas at the cage windows and hotel desks, and masks are required.
Krissie Petticrew gets a temperature check as she enters Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. for the re-opening on Wednesday. (Photo by Wendy Post)
On the game floor, the machines are spaced out for distance, with some of them shut off to assist in the social distancing.
“We’ve done a lot of things to keep things safe,” said Jim Weed, director of Marketing.
Tioga Downs’ General Manager, Charlie Otto, stated the facility was able to bring back a small number of employees, and will bring more back in as the opening progresses. The number of employees that returned on Wednesday, however, is unknown, and the information could not be obtained.
Tioga Downs’ General Manager, Charlie Otto, stands near the FanDuel Sportsbook on Wednesday, and for the re-opening of Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols, N.Y. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Prior to the shutdown because of the pandemic, Tioga Downs employed approximately 600 employees at the Nichols, N.Y. facility. They employ another 300 at their sister facility in Vernon, N.Y., a harness racing track that is supported by revenue from the Nichols casino.
In March, the casino reduced to 50 percent until they were shutdown completely on March 16.
Now at 25 percent capacity, and inclusive of employees, according to Otto, things are quite different. Safety, however, is a priority, he noted.
People are lined up at a single entry at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. on Wednesday, waiting for the 4 p.m. opening. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Weed echoed Otto’s words, stating that safety is their priority.
“We are working actively with Public Health, and have gone beyond the requirements set forth by New York State,” said Weed.
With a good crowd, or a full house rolling in on Wednesday, Weed stated he is very excited about the opening.
“We are one step closer,” Weed added. “Our huge emphasis is safety.”
On Monday, Sept. 14, a free security guard license class will take place at Tioga Downs. The facility will be hiring Security Officers, and the license is required. You can visit www.tiogadowns.com/careers to learn more.
Casino hours are Sunday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. You can visit www.tiogadowns.com to learn more.
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