RACE TRACK HEARING Bedford Downs out of the gate

The company will give 1 percent of annual net profits to the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The battle lines are drawn and the proposed Bedford Downs has set a pretty high standard for others vying for Pennsylvania's last harness racing license.
"I've been in public life over 30 years and I've never seen a more professional presentation," said Roy W. Wilt, chairman of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission, after the one-hour video and live presentation at the Bedford Downs site on U.S. Route 422 in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County.
"Bedford is Better" became the rallying cry for Bedford Downs President Carmen Shick and many of the more than 20 people who spoke, most of whom were in favor of the project.
Shick revealed the estimated tax benefits for the state, municipality and county, as well as pledged 1 percent of the company's annual net profits to the Pennsylvania War Veteran's Council, a group that will then distribute the estimated $500,000 per year to various veterans groups.
"This is like a gift from home without asking for it," said John Neeves of the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council, who was featured in a slick video presentation that outlined the track's plans as well as illustrated support for the project.
Shick also outlined the expected benefits to the sport of harness racing, including an expected $50 million in harness purses every year -- making it one of the most lucrative in North America.
"Bedford Downs represents nothing less than a total transformation of our community," Shick said.
About the project
The estimated $65 million project on 550 acres would include a harness racing track and casino, as well as full-service hotel, convention center, retail shopping district, indoor water park and condominiums.
Shick said the project would be done over three phases with the first phase of the harness racing track to be completed within 12 months of receiving a track license from the state. The slots license will be considered at a later date by the newly formed Pennsylvania Gaming Commission.
Nearly 600 people crowded into the large, ventilated tent set up on the race track spot along Baird Road that sits between Shick family home and business, C.D. Ambrosia Co.
The rainy after-effects of Hurricane Frances kept few away. People lined up in the wet weather at the Ambrosia headquarters to wait for New Castle Transit Authority trolleys and buses to transport them to the site.
Shick invoked the name of his grandfather, Carmen Ambrosia, often during his hour-long presentation. Ambrosia turned his family farm into a successful coal and trucking business. Shick noted that his grandfather often told him you have to recognize opportunities, like Bedford Downs, and then go after them.
Shick's brother, Ken Shick, and sister, Kendra Tabak, are also partners in the business, which will be funded through family money and bank loans. Shick said he believes they will have no problem proving to the harness racing commission that they have enough funding secured to pay for the project and the $50 million fee for the gambling license.
"There is no better way we can use this land and in Pennsylvania there is no better plan," Shick boasted.
Bedford Downs' nearest competitor, Valley View Downs, was expected to have its public comment hearing today at the Holiday Inn in Beaver Falls. That harness racing track is proposed by Centaur Inc., an Indiana-based company, which seeks to locate on about 300 acres in Chippewa Township, Beaver County, near Pa. Route 51.
Others vying for the harness license are Philadelphia Pacers and Trotters in Philadelphia and Vorum's Stables in Pittsburgh. Both would not be eligible for slots licenses under the newly enacted state gaming law because of their proximity to other already-approved gaming sites.
A second round of hearings will begin Oct. 25 in Harrisburg with Bedford Downs undergoing cross examination by its competitors. The others' competitors hearings will be in November.
A decision by the harness racing commission is expected in early 2005.
Shick said after the hearing that he felt very positive about the presentation. "If we get the license it will be because we earned it. We didn't buy it," he said.
cioffi@vindy.com