Official begins effort to work with track-casino

Centaur already has a
representative in the community meeting with officials.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — One Lawrence County official is already crafting plans to make sure the construction of a new harness track and casino in the county is seamless.

Commissioner Dan Vogler said he’s started talking to people about creating two committees, one involving county government and the other involving local government and private business.

“We have to effectively and thoroughly prepare for what is coming. And get ready for the influx of people,” Vogler said at Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission awarded the state’s last harness track license to Centaur Inc., an Indiana-based company that will build a new harness track in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County.

The group is almost assured a slots license from the state gaming board and intends to put 3,000 slot machines in the facility. Centaur officials estimate the racetrack-casino could draw 14,000 people a day when completed.

Shick family

A separate development by the Shick family of Lawrence County also will include an indoor water park, hotels, restaurants and shops on adjacent property.

The Shicks also had been vying for a racing license but sold a portion of their property to Centaur in a compromise deal crafted between the two to assure the development stays in Lawrence County. Centaur had originally wanted to build a racetrack in nearby Beaver County.

Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said he wants a designated county economic development office to handle what he hopes will be the other businesses attracted to the county by the racetrack, casino and other amenities.

Vogler noted that Centaur already has a representative in the community who is meeting with the local elected officials and others involved.

cioffi@vindy.com