Ditzler: racino clears hurdles

October 30, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

BOARDMAN

The dirt in the empty field on Route 46 near Silica Road is already being pushed around in anticipation of construction this spring of the Mahoning Valley’s first racino.

The racino is projected to have 1,500 slot machines and thoroughbred racing.

Dave Ditzler, an Austintown trustee the past 19 years and a candidate for Mahoning County Commissioner on next Tuesday’s ballot, spoke Monday to the Curbstone Coaches at their weekly meeting. He said nearly all existing hurdles have been cleared.

“The project needed the approval from the Ohio Lottery Commission and had to clear a lawsuit by an independent group,” Ditzler said. “In addition, the state Legislature had to create language that needed their approval.

“The land has already been purchased with the final obstacle set to be finalized by the state racing commission when they sign off on the relocation of two of the state’s seven race tracks.”

Ditzler, who was representing fellow Austintown trustees Lisa Oles and Jim Davis at the meeting, said Toledo’s racetrack will be relocated to Dayton while Beulah Park in Columbus will come to Austintown and will be known as Hollywood Slots at Mahoning Valley Racetrack.

“The excavation will cost $18 million, and the total facility approximately $125 million,” he said. “In addition, there was another $125 million in relocation and permit fees to be paid up front to the state of Ohio by the Penn National Racino Group.”

Additional assistance came from Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, and State Rep. Ron Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, who collaborated to create language for the state Legislature and its subsequent approval for additional funding for the host community.

“Both Sen. Schiavoni and state Rep. Gerberry helped negotiate $500,000 from the state in order to offset any additional costs, such as extra police, roads, or infrastructure issues that may arise from the project if and when needed and necessary,” Ditzler said.

The project will create approximately 1,000 permanent jobs with another 1,000 construction jobs projected over the next 18 months, he said.

In addition to a 1-mile thoroughbred track, the facility also will construct 25 stables that can accommodate 50 horses each or an anticipated 1,000 horses that can be housed on the site. There will be dormitories and a cafeteria facility.

“It’s an exciting time right now for Austintown and the entire Mahoning Valley,” Ditzler said.

Next week, All-American Conference commissioner Rick King will speak.