VERNON, N.Y. — Vernon Downs Casino, Hotel, Racing & Entertainment last Friday formally opened a new parking facility.
The $7.2 million parking garage offers visitors 222 additional covered parking spaces and “convenient” access to the racetrack and casino through a covered walkway, the company said in a news release distributed on Sunday.
“With more and more visitors coming to Vernon Downs on a regular basis, expanding our infrastructure became an absolute must,” Jeff Gural, chairman and CEO of American Racing and Entertainment LLC, said in the release.
Other recent improvements to the property include a 90-seat continental restaurant; a 450-person banquet and events center; an 80-seat simulcast room; and a rooftop terrace that overlooks the racetrack, according to the Vernon Downs release.
Besides Vernon Downs, Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. in Tioga County.
Gural is preparing a new proposal to apply for New York’s final gaming license. Once awarded, Tioga Downs will “expand its facility and workforce to accommodate live casino gaming,” according to the release.
Vernon Downs also used the Friday event to present a check for $51,810 to the Food Bank of Central New York, with the proceeds raised from last year’s concerts by Love and Theft and Jerrod Neiman.
Gural also pledged to donate all proceeds again this year from the Sara Evans concert on July 3, according to the release.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com