The new $70 million addition to the Jack ThistleDown Racino is one more befitting a place to gamble than a converted grandstand with slots.
"The first couple of years we just didn't have enough assets to compete in the market and now with this new $70 million reinvestment plan, we have more restaurants, more slot machines," said General Manager Scott Lokke.
Those entering from the parking lot are hit with the image of what's been called a living wall, a 20 foot by 60 foot wall of over 7,000 plants representing 10 different species.
At the top of the escalator they'll be joined by those entering the gaming floor from the brand new 1,000 space garage as they walk onto the floor with additional VLTs and dining amenities most notably the Millcreek Grille, a sit down restaurant that opens up on one side to the gaming floor and on the other to the actual race track.
"Racing season opens up on April 25 and our restaurant here sets right on the apron so we're going to have parties during the summer and a great view with floor to ceiling windows, view of the racetrack during the season," Lokke said.
The garage and the restaurants two of the things that customers said they wanted.
"The more they tell us they need the more we put plans together," he said.
Since it opened it's doors more than 90 years ago the track has survived the depression, several recessions, prohibition, World War II, a fire that destroyed the track's clubhouse and grandstand in 1944, and a half dozen ownership changes.
It continued to host races long after its Emery Road neighbor to the south, Randall Park Race Track, closed in 1968, was bulldozed and reopened again in 1976 as the largest shopping mall in America, only to close in 2010 and also soon face the wrecking ball.
ThistleDown was given a temporary reprieve when Rock Ohio Caesars made the decision to invest $88 million into the track in opening the racino there on a temporary basis while they weighed the decision whether to move, they eventually invested another million or two to improve operations.
The decision to stay brought the $70 million shot in the arm and Lokke promises there will be more.
"We're already planning on our future phases and what more operations, more assets for our customers so it will continue to grow, continue to expand and continue to get that Vegas feel."
