Sale of Meadows OK'd

The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission has approved the sale of The Meadows Racetrack to Millennium Gaming Inc. of Las Vegas for $225 million. William Paulos, co-owner of Millennium Gaming, said he expects to close on the deal for the 43-year-old harness racing venue within the next 45 days and then immediately begin construction of the new facility.

As part of the sales agreement, MEC Pennsylvania Racing will continue to run the racing operations at the track for the next five years.

According to reports, Paulos was among a dozen people who testified last week in Pittsburgh before the state Gaming Control Board. As an existing racetrack, The Meadows was one of five across the state that was guaranteed a conditional slots license.

"We're waiting for a conditional license to be issued by the gaming commission," Paulos said, adding that Millennium plans to begin building a 90,000-square-foot temporary slots casino at the track in advance of the license. "Our plan is to begin the building as soon as possible without waiting for the gaming control board for the license."

Millennium officials said last week that within 30 months, it plans to complete a 250,000-square-foot permanent clubhouse at The Meadows that will include both slots and racing entertainment, as well as restaurants, new grandstands and new paddock area. When the permanent facility is finished, the temporary slots building will be converted for entertainment and other uses.

« Back