Plans taking shape for racetrack casino

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — It didn’t take long for Centaur Inc. to get moving on its plans for a new racetrack and casino in Lawrence County.

The Indiana-based company was awarded the state’s last harness race track license Sept. 4.

Six days later, Centaur already had a representative in the county working on plans for permits and other necessary items that must be done before construction can begin, according to local officials. Lawrence County officials call it the largest project in the county.

Jeffrey Smith, managing director of racing for Centaur Inc., constructing Valley View Downs in Mahoning Township at the intersection of U.S. Routes 422 and 551, said work has been nonstop since even before the license was awarded.

They are working with architects who are designing the 250,000-square-foot facility. It will boast a one-mile harness track exclusively for standard-bred racing and a casino with 3,000 slot machines.

For more, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com