Mar 11 2014
Penn National Gaming, Inc. the licensee for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ sole slots-only gaming license, announced today that it will break ground and begin construction of Plainridge Park Casino on Friday, March 14, 2014 at 2:00 pm ET.
“We are thrilled to begin construction of this new economic engine for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Eric Schippers, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Penn National Gaming. “We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with our employees, members of the community, and local and state leaders who helped make this dream a reality.”
Penn National Gaming was awarded the gaming license on February 28, 2014. The Company sent invitations last week to the members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, state legislators, town officials and community leaders in Plainville, leaders of the harness racing industry, town officials in the designated surrounding communities of North Attleboro, Wrentham, Foxboro, and Mansfield, local businesses, labor organizations, and local non-profit organizations among others.
“Friday will mark the beginning of a long, prosperous relationship between Penn National Gaming, the Town of Plainville, surrounding communities, the harness racing industry, local businesses and labor organizations, and the Commonwealth,” said Schippers. “We are committed to creating strong partnerships between each of these groups and Plainridge Park Casino.”
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Penn National Gaming will share construction timelines, employment opportunities and upcoming activities. In addition to the creation of an estimated 1,000 construction jobs, it is expected that Plainridge Park will result in 500 new permanent jobs once completed. Media kits will be provided at the venue and will be available 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.
About Plainridge Park Casino
Penn National Gaming will be constructing a $225 million fully integrated racing and gaming operation located at Plainridge Racecourse, 301 Washington Street, Plainville, MA. Plainridge Park Casino will include a fully integrated 106,000 square foot racing and gaming facility featuring live harness racing and simulcasting with 1,250 slot machines, an upscale casual dining restaurant, the first-ever Doug Flutie Sports Bar, four-venue food court, harness concourse bar, multi-purpose banquet room, entertainment lounge and casino bar, 1,620 structured and surface parking spaces, 26,000 square foot grandstand with box and reserved seats, and 13,000 square foot clubhouse with box seats.
About Penn National Gaming
Penn National Gaming, through its subsidiaries, owns, operates or has ownership interests in gaming and racing facilities with a focus on slot machine entertainment. The Company presently operates twenty-six facilities in seventeen jurisdictions, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Ontario. In aggregate, Penn National's operated facilities feature approximately 31,000 gaming machines, 800 table games and 2,900 hotel rooms.