(Sept. 10, 2015) Details were sparse on the specifics, but the Casino at Ocean Downs on Tuesday began work on an expansion project, the purpose of which remains undefined.
General Manager Joe Cavilla confirmed the work was under way.
“The foundation for the expansion building construction did start this morning,” he said Tuesday. “It is the shell for the building expansion, and all we’re doing right now is foundations and the actual shell of the building itself.”
Cavilla said there was no announcement on what the interior of the building would hold, adding that it was still “to be determined.”
“It is an expansion to the existing building,” he said. “It’ll tie in to the existing casino building, but as far as what the interior would hold, we’re not prepared to release that at this point.”
He added that the casino has not request permits to add any additional table games or slot machines.
“We did not submit for anything, so there technically is no formal approval,” he said. “The site is eligible to apply, but there has been no formal approval.”
Ocean City Today reported in October 2013 that the Worcester County Planning Commission approved a 35,000 square-foot expansion, along with a back-of-house mezzanine adjacent to the casino and the Ocean Downs Racetrack, in September of that year.
At the time, Cavilla provided a few details via a press release dated Sept. 18, 2013
“We are expanding because we were limited to the former footprint of the grandstand to accommodate our original proposed slot casino,” he said. “The new building will allow us to spread out the existing operation.
“We will be adding a racing sports restaurant to include simulcast wagering with a view of the racetrack, a very large storage area, and larger back-of-the-house operations,” Cavilla added.
The release said approximately 10 new table games would be included, adding that “seasonal staffing logistics” would need to be solved before submitting anything to the State Lottery Commission.
Also included in the release was that the casino did not plan to increase the number of table games it offered, although some of it’s 800 existing slots could move into the expansion to “enhance aesthetics and player comfort.”
The expansion could also include a new viewing area for racing if the casino meets approval, through the Racing Facility Redevelopment Fund, by the State Racing Commission, according to the release.
“We are committed to providing an operation that appeals to and excites our customers, enhances the attraction of the Ocean City-Berlin, Maryland resort area and provides stable revenue for our state and local stakeholders,” Cavilla said. “This small expansion will allow friendlier and service-oriented enhancements and is in the work-in-progress stage of development.”
General Manager Joe Cavilla confirmed the work was under way.
“The foundation for the expansion building construction did start this morning,” he said Tuesday. “It is the shell for the building expansion, and all we’re doing right now is foundations and the actual shell of the building itself.”
Cavilla said there was no announcement on what the interior of the building would hold, adding that it was still “to be determined.”
“It is an expansion to the existing building,” he said. “It’ll tie in to the existing casino building, but as far as what the interior would hold, we’re not prepared to release that at this point.”
He added that the casino has not request permits to add any additional table games or slot machines.
“We did not submit for anything, so there technically is no formal approval,” he said. “The site is eligible to apply, but there has been no formal approval.”
Ocean City Today reported in October 2013 that the Worcester County Planning Commission approved a 35,000 square-foot expansion, along with a back-of-house mezzanine adjacent to the casino and the Ocean Downs Racetrack, in September of that year.
At the time, Cavilla provided a few details via a press release dated Sept. 18, 2013
“We are expanding because we were limited to the former footprint of the grandstand to accommodate our original proposed slot casino,” he said. “The new building will allow us to spread out the existing operation.
“We will be adding a racing sports restaurant to include simulcast wagering with a view of the racetrack, a very large storage area, and larger back-of-the-house operations,” Cavilla added.
The release said approximately 10 new table games would be included, adding that “seasonal staffing logistics” would need to be solved before submitting anything to the State Lottery Commission.
Also included in the release was that the casino did not plan to increase the number of table games it offered, although some of it’s 800 existing slots could move into the expansion to “enhance aesthetics and player comfort.”
The expansion could also include a new viewing area for racing if the casino meets approval, through the Racing Facility Redevelopment Fund, by the State Racing Commission, according to the release.
“We are committed to providing an operation that appeals to and excites our customers, enhances the attraction of the Ocean City-Berlin, Maryland resort area and provides stable revenue for our state and local stakeholders,” Cavilla said. “This small expansion will allow friendlier and service-oriented enhancements and is in the work-in-progress stage of development.”