The New York State gaming commission has announced their decision on the casino for Seneca County. The Lagos Casino has been approved for the Seneca County Town of Tyre.
Two weeks ago, Wilmorite Corporation announced the tentative awarding of $60 million in contracts anticipating the selection of the project. At that time, Wilmorite Chairman Thomas C. Wilmot, Sr., Director of Lago Resort & Casino, said, “Let me restate something I’ve said consistently and strongly. If we are awarded a license, construction on Lago will begin within a week. Today, we announce the awarding of a $15 million contract to LeChase Construction in Rochester to construct a parking garage, and $45 million in contracts for mechanical, electric and plumbing which has been awarded to John W. Danforth Company, based in Tonawanda, and two Rochester-based firms, Billitier Electric and Crosby-Brownlie,” Wilmot said.
The Commission’s decision is subject to formal approval of the gaming license.
A proposal to build a $425 million destination gaming resort in Seneca County has been recommended for a casino license by the state Gaming Facility Location Board.
Rochester-area developer Wilmorite's plans to build Lago Resort & Casino in the town of Tyre beat out two other proposals — Tioga Downs in Tioga County and Traditions in Broome County — for the panel's recommendation.
"We have said all along that if awarded one of the state's casino licenses that we would begin construction of Lago within a week," Wilmorite Chairman Tom Wilmot Sr. said. "We remain committed to that timetable, just as we remain committed to the people of Tyre and Seneca County."
Lago Resort & Casino, if approved for a license by the state Gaming Commission, will include a 94,000-square foot casino with 2,000 slot machines and 85 tables, a 217-room hotel, entertainment and dining facilities, a parking garage and a spa.
The casino would be located just off exit 41 of the New York State Thruway.
Wilmorite estimated that the project will create 1,250 to 1,500 permanent jobs and 2,100 construction jobs. Once the casino is built, it would attract an estimated 9,000 visitors each day and 3.3 million visitors annually.
"We are excited about the opportunity to build a destination resort in the Finger Lakes region that will create thousands of jobs, bring hundreds of thousands of new tourists to our beautiful region and showcase New York vineyards, breweries, agriculture and history," Wilmot said.
Gaming Facility Location Board member Dennis Glazer, who announced the recommendation at Wednesday's meeting, outlined the reasons why the panel selected Wilmorite's proposal. One factor was money. Wilmorite's proposed investment was larger than the other two proposals in the region and would generate more tax revenues for the state.
According to Glazer, Lago projects gross gaming revenues and gaming tax revenues will be $282 million and $80 million, respectively, in 2019.
"Lago will provide opportunities for enhanced economic impact and increased tourism in the Finger Lakes region," Glazer said.
