A $67-million expansion project at a greyhound racing facility in Wheeling, WV, will be completed on schedule in June, despite minor delays caused by an unexpectedly severe winter.
The expansion, which got under way in January 2002, features a 660-seat showroom, 570 additional slot machines bringing the total to 2,200, a 151-room deluxe hotel, a fine dining restaurant, a casual eatery, a food court and two lounges. The project adds 300,000 sq. ft. of amenities to Wheeling Island, including the 85,000-sq.-ft. hotel, 35,000 additional sq. ft. of gaming space, an 8,500-sq.-ft. showroom and 14,000 sq. ft. of dining accommodations.
Justin W. Francis, senior project manager of Louis P. Ciminelli Construction Co., said the project has moved smoothly and the work is on schedule and within budget. With most of the exterior work completed, crews are concentrating on the interior, landscaping and paving aspects of the project. While Ciminelli was awarded the $44-million contract to serve as the primary contractor, Francis said there are approximately 40 subcontractors working at the site.
Ciminelli Construction, based in Buffalo, NY, was familiar with Wheeling Island because the company had completed a new paddock building at the facility in 2001.
Francis said construction workers faced several challenges on the expansion project, including three feet of snow and a tight schedule. However, he noted that all of their efforts will pay off when the finished product opens to the public on June 26.
“Wheeling Island put a lot of money into making this project different and it will be worth seeing when it’s completed,” he said. “The landscaping is beautiful with about $250,000 worth of fake trees and plantings by a California company called Nature Maker, which also does work for Disneyland.”
Francis said one unusual aspect of the work was the need to use auger cast piles — or pressure-grouted piling — to prevent holes drilled into the soil from caving in. The specialized auger equipment, made by Berkel & Co. Contractors Inc., of LaGrange, KY, was necessary because the soil on the island is primarily a clay mixture that tends to collapse quickly once a hole is drilled into it.
Auger cast piles are drilled and pumped instead of being driven, which eliminates the hammer noise. Cement grout is pumped through a hollow shaft as the auger is slowly withdrawn from the hole. The grout columns then harden to create an auger cast pile.
The elimination of a pile-driving hammer permits the installation of auger cast piles adjacent to existing structures without the danger of soil settlement or damage to existing footings, walls, other structural components or nearby equipment.
Another unique feature of the expansion is a continuous mural, painted by Pittsburgh artist Gary Hagen, which depicts island scenery and runs throughout the expanded complex with the exception of the showroom.
Francis said the high-quality millwork done by Allegheny Millwork, of Lawrence, PA, also adds a distinguishing element to the project.
Scott Cooper, president of Wheeling Island Gaming Inc., which owns and operates the racetrack, said approximately 600 construction workers have been employed as part of the multimillion-dollar project that required the use of 1,400 tons (1,260 t) of steel, 6,000 tons (5,400 t) of concrete and 25,000 sq. ft. (2,323 sq m) of ceramic and granite tile.
“We expect to attract over three million customers in the first year of operation in the new facility,” said Cooper. “All of the amenities we are adding are important to our ability to deal with peak periods and to be able to compete in our market. We are about to take the entertainment experience to a whole new level for tri-state gaming enthusiasts.”
Cooper said the greyhound racing facility currently employs approximately 600 people, but the number will climb to approximately 1,000 when the expanded facilities open. The West Virginia entertainment complex attracted an estimated two million people during 2002 and officials hope to see an even larger attendance after customers become aware of the new features.
The number of parking spaces has been increased to more than 2,800, including 190 covered spots, to accommodate the higher volume of visitors. Cooper said 90 percent of Wheeling Island’s customers come from various locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio with the remainder coming primarily from West Virginia.
Wheeling Island has expanded its media advertising to introduce the new facility to the public. The main marketing emphasis has been on the Preferred Players Club through direct marketing efforts and customer reward programs. Officials also hope to attract big-name entertainers, which is especially important because Cooper said the facility will be competing with entertainment venues in Pittsburgh.
Wheeling Island has partnered with global entertainment giant Clear Channel Entertainment to bring top performers to the state-of-the-art showroom. The first entertainer to perform in the showroom will be country music singer Collin Raye on June 27 and 28.
“Working with Clear Channel Entertainment will enhance our abilities to provide a premiere alternative to entertainment seekers in the tri-state area,” said Cooper.
Rich Engler, president, chief executive officer and talent buyer of Clear Channel Entertainment Pittsburgh, said his company’s ability to produce live entertainment and Wheeling Island’s gaming options will provide a dynamic destination for the region.
The showroom will be used for concerts, meetings, promotional parties and other events. The conference center is separate from the showroom.
Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center was formerly known as Wheeling Downs, which was built in 1937 as a thoroughbred facility. Fire destroyed the clubhouse in 1962 and Wheeling Downs remained closed until 1967. The conversion to greyhound racing took place in 1976.
“We started a slow transition to the name Wheeling Island several months ago,” said Cooper. “The name was changed to better reflect the additional amenities we are adding.”
