News
September 2, 2015Saratoga Casino and Raceway holds ‘Topping Out’ Ceremony for Hotel Expansion
Saratoga Casino and Raceway today held a ‘topping out’ ceremony for their hotel expansion. The ceremony marked the project reaching its peak height, as the final piece of steel was erected to the top of the structure.
A group of over 75 joined Tuesday’s ceremony, including construction workers, casino employees and union officials. Owners and executives of Saratoga Casino and Raceway, Kirchhoff-Consigli Construction Management and Tishman Construction, an AECOM company, joined dozens of ironworkers in signing the final piece of steel with their well wishes for the project. In accordance with tradition, a Douglas fir and American flag were also hoisted up on the final piece of steel.
”The impressive rate at which this project is being built is testament to the hard work of our entire construction team”, said Tom Wiedmayer, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Saratoga Casino and Raceway. “We are particularly thankful for our long and successful partnership with the Greater Capital Region Building and Trades Council, whose members have done a tremendous job in reaching this important milestone.”
Since breaking ground on May 27, the expansion has generated more than $100,000 in sales tax revenue. 12,000 cubic yards of backfill have been used to bring the site up to grade, 1,500 cubic yards of concrete have been placed for the foundations, and 650 tons of steel have been hoisted into place. This work has been accomplished thanks to the nearly 12,000 man hours which have been incurred to date.
Set to open for the summer of 2016, the $34 million, 123,000 square foot hotel project is being managed by a joint venture between Kirchoff-Consigli Construction Management and Tishman Construction, an AECOM company. The hotel was designed by JCJ Architecture, the same firm that designed the casino’s original gaming floor as well as the 2007 expansion featuring additional gaming space, the Garden Buffet and Vapor.
Since its initial design, minor modifications have been made to the Saratoga Casino Hotel, bringing the room count to 117, including 9 suites. Amenities in the hotel will include an indoor pool, fitness center, lobby bar, meeting and banquet rooms, and signature fine dining restaurant.
