Casino Exec: Local Economy About To Boom
By Daniel Michaels, May 20th 2005New London — Foxwoods Resort Casino's chief executive William J. Sherlock predicted the region's economy would boom in coming months as he spoke to tourism industry leaders Tuesday about the latest expansion project at the world's largest casino.
“I say the region is due for outstanding summer season,” said Sherlock. “The sun has not been shining since October, and we think we have tremendous pent-up demand for our business and your businesses.”
The Mashantucket Pequots' first casino expansion in several years — a $100 million, 120,000-square-foot addition of gaming, retail and entertainment space and a 2,100-car parking garage — will get fully underway following the July 4 holiday weekend and is set to open in mid-2004.
The indoor expansion will hold a Hard Rock Café, a non-smoking bingo hall and a retail atrium, while a new, much-needed parking garage will be built on what is now an outdoor lot.
“When we're at peak capacity, it's like a shopping mall,” Sherlock said of the parking situation. “People are following one another and saying, ‘Are you leaving?' We don't want people to leave.”
The tribe is hosting a press event today to introduce its other major growth initiative, the Lake of Isles Golf Club, which will have two 18-hole courses — one public and one private — a 50,000-square-foot clubhouse and guest villas. The tribe has set the opening date for summer 2005 “to be safe,” Sherlock said, even though the golf club could open sooner.
Sherlock, who was speaking to members of the Mystic Coast & Country Travel Industry Association at a meeting at the Lighthouse Inn, stressed the tribe's and casino's willingness to contribute to the regional community.
He noted they are cooperating in tourism efforts, attending meetings to improve the regional transportation system and turning over to the state each month millions in slot machine revenue.
“Don't blame the budget (crisis) on the casinos,” said Sherlock. “We certainly are pulling our fair share.”
Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have contributed more than $350 million to the state during the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.
Sherlock said cooperation is key as tourism leaders package all of the region's attractions together to entice a wider audience
“We need ... one Web site, one message for the area that says, ‘There's more to this place than just casinos. There's more to this place than just beaches',” he said.
The area is compared to the Hamptons in a bold advertising campaign developed by Mintz & Hoke Inc. of Avon, which Mystic Coast & Country hired in January. The ads, which are running in New York area magazines and newspapers, portray southeastern Connecticut as a friendlier and more accessible place than the tony Hamptons.
“Number of restaurants in the Hamptons: 245. Number you can get into: 3,” says one ad. “Visit a place that caters to appetites, not egos. Mystic Places.”
Another begins, “Welcome to the Hamptons. Please keep your children on a leash at all times.” The next line invites the reader to “come to a place that was built by families and for families.”
By KAREN FLORIN
“I say the region is due for outstanding summer season,” said Sherlock. “The sun has not been shining since October, and we think we have tremendous pent-up demand for our business and your businesses.”
The Mashantucket Pequots' first casino expansion in several years — a $100 million, 120,000-square-foot addition of gaming, retail and entertainment space and a 2,100-car parking garage — will get fully underway following the July 4 holiday weekend and is set to open in mid-2004.
The indoor expansion will hold a Hard Rock Café, a non-smoking bingo hall and a retail atrium, while a new, much-needed parking garage will be built on what is now an outdoor lot.
“When we're at peak capacity, it's like a shopping mall,” Sherlock said of the parking situation. “People are following one another and saying, ‘Are you leaving?' We don't want people to leave.”
The tribe is hosting a press event today to introduce its other major growth initiative, the Lake of Isles Golf Club, which will have two 18-hole courses — one public and one private — a 50,000-square-foot clubhouse and guest villas. The tribe has set the opening date for summer 2005 “to be safe,” Sherlock said, even though the golf club could open sooner.
Sherlock, who was speaking to members of the Mystic Coast & Country Travel Industry Association at a meeting at the Lighthouse Inn, stressed the tribe's and casino's willingness to contribute to the regional community.
He noted they are cooperating in tourism efforts, attending meetings to improve the regional transportation system and turning over to the state each month millions in slot machine revenue.
“Don't blame the budget (crisis) on the casinos,” said Sherlock. “We certainly are pulling our fair share.”
Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have contributed more than $350 million to the state during the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.
Sherlock said cooperation is key as tourism leaders package all of the region's attractions together to entice a wider audience
“We need ... one Web site, one message for the area that says, ‘There's more to this place than just casinos. There's more to this place than just beaches',” he said.
The area is compared to the Hamptons in a bold advertising campaign developed by Mintz & Hoke Inc. of Avon, which Mystic Coast & Country hired in January. The ads, which are running in New York area magazines and newspapers, portray southeastern Connecticut as a friendlier and more accessible place than the tony Hamptons.
“Number of restaurants in the Hamptons: 245. Number you can get into: 3,” says one ad. “Visit a place that caters to appetites, not egos. Mystic Places.”
Another begins, “Welcome to the Hamptons. Please keep your children on a leash at all times.” The next line invites the reader to “come to a place that was built by families and for families.”
By KAREN FLORIN
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Casino Exec: Local Economy About To Boom
