The expansion of the electronic games of skill area at Oaklawn Park is quickly approaching the finish line, General Manager Eric Jackson said.
“Everything seems to be falling into place perfectly,” he said. “Everything has gone according to plan and it looks like it will be a photo finish come Jan. 9.”
The expansion extends the first floor of the existing building 160 feet to the south, adding 23,541 square feet to the first floor.
The second floor is also being expanded 160 feet, adding 34,634 square feet in order to create capacity for about 500 more gaming positions to the existing positions.
The facility “essentially doubles our size” and “leaves us plenty of room to grow into,” said Jennifer Hoyt, media relations manager.
“We’re right on schedule to hold our ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 7 and the horses and everyone else will start getting here on Nov. 10,” she said. “When they’re here, we’ll do just like we did last season, because the horses get top priority. Starting on Nov. 11, they’ll take to the track for morning workouts from 7-9 and construction will resume when the last horse has left.”
The first floor of the existing building has been expanded, adding receiving facilities for the operation and maintenance staff, warehouse and offices.
“Basically we’re moving all of our back-of-the-house employees to this area,” Hoyt said.
The new area will include a conference room, which Hoyt said they have never had before.
“Previously, our conference room has been Mr. Cella’s office, but we could only ever have maybe 10 people in there at a time,” she said. “This new conference room will have enough space and seating for our weekly meetings.”
Along with the expansion, Oaklawn is adding a new dining option, Silks Sports Bar and Grill.
In the months leading up to the live race meet, Oaklawn has always held job fairs, Hoyt said, to prepare for the increase in visitors. In September, there will be a separate job fair specifically for the expanded gaming area.
“With the added gaming and dining, we’re going to be hiring between 100 and 150 new employees ranging from food and beverage services, gaming technicians, cashiers and winners circle staff, and definitely some manager positions,” she said. “This is totally separate and focuses solely on the gaming area.”
The facility has hit several milestones, including adding the air conditioning unit this week and many more are set for the next few months.
“By Sept. 15 we will have all power turned on and by Oct. 1 our lighted Oaklawn sign will be put up,” she said, adding that it is the same sign that was previously on the building which was taken down and placed in storage.
“Knock on wood, we’ve been right on schedule — maybe even a little ahead,” Hoyt said. “We haven’t had any major weather delays even with all of the rain this summer, and we haven’t had any work mishaps or accidents and that’s really given us a little wiggle room as we finish things up.”