NICHOLS, N.Y. — Construction is underway on a new six-story, 161-room hotel at Tioga Downs in Nichols.
Owner Jeff Gural and other community leaders attended a groundbreaking ceremony on the site where the hotel will stand, the entertainment and gaming company said in a news release issued Tuesday.
The new hotel will also host special events in its entertainment center, where banquets and receptions can seat up to 400 guests.
The hotel is expected to generate 150 to 200 full-time jobs, with a payroll topping $6 million, according to a Time Warner Cable News story.
The work represents the next “major” phase of construction to prepare for the growth associated with the transition to full casino gaming, Tioga Downs said.
The New York State Gaming Commission on Aug. 30 granted Tioga Downs a commercial gaming license.
The license allows Tioga Downs to “complete its transformation” into a full-scale casino, replacing the current video-lottery terminals with slot machines, the company said.
It can also add blackjack, roulette, craps, a poker room and other casino card games that the gaming commission would permit.
In addition, the entertainment complex offers live harness racing, video-lottery terminals, video poker, and electronic table games.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com