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Casino set to break ground on upgrade
Message was posted: 09:08 Apr 26th, 2007

User: libblesp Rank: Casino Gold: 58782CG Contributor rating: 128760 Status: Offline

Casino news source: Times Leader - http://www.timesleader.com Casino set to break ground on upgrade The new addition will quadruple the size of the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Project to begin on May 4. RON BARTIZEK rbartizek@timesleader.com PLAINS TWP. – Off to a strong start in its interim casino, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is poised to break ground on a second phase of construction that will quadruple the facility in size and add several amenities beyond additional slot machines. On Wednesday, Downs president Robert Soper was reluctant to go into details before a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for May 4. But he said the completed casino will generally be consistent with plans announced in July 2005. The finished product will cover 409,000 square feet, including the present interim casino and racing clubhouse. That is roughly half the size of the Wyoming Valley Mall. New construction will be about 300,000 square feet. “It’s primarily the same program and layout” that has been talked about since 2005, Soper said. In addition to gaming space, the permanent casino will hold fine-dining restaurants, a large buffet and food court, bars and lounges, a nightclub and retail space. While there have been rumors that a hotel would be built on the 400-acre property, Soper said that is not part of the plan at this time. “We’re looking to be open probably next summer (2008),” Soper said, about 14 months after ground is broken. “It’s pretty quick; I would consider it a fast-track project.” The new building will be constructed on a plateau behind the existing casino. “We believe there will be minimal disruption,” Soper said. “At some point we will have to reconfigure the parking lot,” which may pose some short-term challenges. Some of the groundwork to connect the existing and new buildings was laid last year when the track grandstand building was enlarged and renovated to hold 1,100 slot machines, two bars and a food court. An enclosed walkway and escalators will connect the buildings. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which purchased Pocono Downs for $280 million, has already spent about $70 million on the interim casino and improvements to the clubhouse. Soper has said the new building will cost between $140 million and $160 million. Some of the initial outlay included installing a computer system that will be adapted for the larger facility. Early statements projected 2,000 slot machines in the permanent casino, but recently Soper has used a figure of 2,500. Some slots are likely to remain in the track building, but Soper said how many has not been decided.