JOHNSTOWN —
An economically transformative, $200 million racino – a combination harness racing track/casino – could be coming to Greater Johnstown, the chief operating officer of a new gambling outfit said Wednesday.
In an e-mail to major news outlets, COO Daryl W. Price released a letter he wrote to the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission saying his American Harness Tracks Inc. will pursue the licenses.
“We are committed to making the premier harness track in Pennsylvania,” Price wrote to commission Administrative Officer Dawn Patrick.
“Our plans are to construct a one-mile oval and a back stretch, including an equine medical center that is state of the art.”
And that’s not all.
The developer wants to build a water park, convention center, wedding complex and equine medical facility.
About 1,500 permanent jobs would be expected, along with 1,200 during the construction phase.
But is it all just a bluff?
Hardly, said state Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, who began pushing for a local casino in April.
“I think they’re for real,” Wozniak said.
He believes the enterprise has the money for the racetrack/casino. American Harness might seek other partners for the broader development, he said, which could bring the total investment to $300 million.
The company has connections in Las Vegas that could be helpful, Wozniak said.
Still, he said, “I’m not going to get too worked up. There are a lot of moving parts to this. I think we can say we’re hopeful.”
Wozniak said the company approached him after he went public in April advocating for a local casino, including slot machines and table games.
Now, horse racing also is in the mix.
“They contacted me after seeing my name in the paper,” he said. “This all was precipitated by my frustration at the lack of the casino in Philly to move forward and the Centaur (casino) to move forward in Lawrence County.”
Wozniak said at least one racing license and one casino license are now available, and possibly two of each depending on whether plans in the New Castle area of Lawrence County fall through.
Wrote Price, “We believe our team represents the best opportunity for Pennsylvania to benefit (from the) economic realization of a program designed to be implemented almost a decade ago to assist horsemen and lower real estate property taxes.”
Wozniak translated, saying one of the original provisions of the casino law was to save the horse-racing industry in the state.
Greater Johnstown – Seven Springs, in particular – was a shoo-in for a casino in 2006 until its owners sold the resort.
The new owner, Ogden Newspapers of Wheeling, W.Va., was unable to get the license due to a conflict created by also being majority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Price identified John Biros as the chief executive officer of the new company and Bob Biros as chairman of the board.
“Both are successful real estate developers in western Pennsylvania,” the letter said.
“When completed, this project will be a major tourist attraction and vacation destination,” Price wrote. “We will partner with local businesses to develop the surrounding area to encourage a thriving business community.”
The company already has commitments for horse training and breeding facilities in the area.
Price did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday afternoon.
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