As reported by: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Owners of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino are hoping to evoke a bit of Las Vegas with their $175 million, 350,000-square-foot permanent casino.

In a tough economy, people who cannot afford a cross-country trip might drop a little coin near home, said Bill Paulos, a partner at Cannery Casino Resorts, which owns the Washington County slots parlor.

"Obviously, it's a very difficult time, and people are watching what they spend," Paulos said. "People want to do things and entertain themselves close to home. We now have that entertainment facility for Southwestern Pennsylvania."

The Meadows opened for an invitation-only test run Monday and, if all goes well, it will be ready for the public after a 9:30 a.m. Wednesday opening ceremony. The nearby temporary casino closed before 6 a.m. yesterday.

As it turns out, the invitations were not all that exclusive: The Meadows gave out more than 17,000 of them, and hundreds of people waited in line outside the doors while cars backed up more than a mile north of the Interstate 79 exit.

Meadows officials estimated that more than 10,000 people showed up.

Money from the test event was to be divided among 50 volunteer fire departments.

"Look at this place," said state Rep. Timothy Solobay, D-Canonsburg. "You'd swear you were in Vegas when you walk in here; you wouldn't know you were in Washington County."

Above the main lobby, a photograph of the Las Vegas Strip covers the wall next to shots of Cannery's two casinos there.

On the main floor, more than 3,200 slot machines create a maze of games, and The Meadows plans to add 700 in about a month. The lower-level simulcast wagering area has 25 flat-screen televisions above banks of 72 carrels, each with its own screen.

A 500-seat grandstand sits next to the harness-racing track, topped with five private luxury suites and a high-end steakhouse that is one of eight eateries. By May, The Meadows expects to add a 24-lane bowling alley. Paulos said the casino has room to add 40 table games if the state allows them.


Article By: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review