'Good Outcome' Expected for Racing License Transfer
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Ohio State Racing Commission member Mark Munroe said he expects a “good outcome” when the commission meets next week to consider Penn National Gaming Inc.’s application to transfer the thoroughbred license from its racetrack near Columbus to Austintown.
Munroe, who was appointed to the state panel in 2011, said he is pleased with Penn National's presentation yesterday at the commission's meeting in Columbus.
At its March 12 meeting, commissioners questioned several aspects of plans for the proposed Hollywood Slots at Mahoning Valley Race Course that Penn National plans to develop on land it purchased last year off Route 46 in Austintown, just south of the Interstate 80 interchange. The questions primarily centered on the lack of seating with a direct view of the racetrack and commissioners asked Penn National to come to them this week with a modified plan.
Penn National Gaming, based in Wyomissing, Pa., wants to develop a $125 million racetrack and video lottery terminal facility at the site. The company also has a request pending before the commission for a separate harness license transfer.
“I was pleased with what Penn National came back with,” Munroe remarked. The initial plans had “just a couple hundred” seats with what could be described as a direct view of the track, he said.
Under the scenario put forth yesterday during its presentation to the commission, Penn National proposed 1,168 seats, including 518 direct-view seats in a climate-controlled enclosed space and 650 additional outdoor bleacher seats.
“They heard our request for extra seating,” Munroe said. “There are going to be some continuing conversations with Penn National and the gaming commission between now and next week. But I do anticipate that next week will be the meeting when we consider the application for a license transfer.”
If the racing commission approves the license transfer for Austintown, Penn National should be able to stay on scheduled for a planned second-quarter 2014 opening there, said Bob Tenenbaum, Penn National spokesman.
Munroe said commission members have other issues they would like addressed.
“There is still a concern that stall facilities might be inadequate,” he noted. Conversations are under way to possibly get the number of stalls up to 1,000, up from the 500 proposed last week. “Conversations are continuing with the horsemen so that all of their concerns are satisfied.” Jockeys have also raised safety concerns, Munroe added.
“But clearly we’re moving in the right direction,” he remarked. “I think there’s going to be a good outcome.”
While Penn National is being asked to provide more than it wants to, the racing commission probably isn’t going to get as much as it wants, he observed.
“The Austintown track is going to be a better facility because of these changes,” he said.
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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