by Paul Post

Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, an upstate New York Thoroughbred venue, will start work this year on a three-phase capital improvement project that will include a new restaurant, hotel, and conference space, William Bissett, president of track owner Delaware North Companies, said on Wednesday.

Located in Farmington, the upgrades are needed to help Finger Lakes stay competitive with Native American casinos to the east and west, he said. The Oneidas run Turning Stone Casino near Utica and the Senecas have three Western New York facilities with plans for a major new operation in downtown Buffalo.

“We think we can still do a lot more with the Rochester market,” Bissett said. “We’re going to put a whole new face on the facility.”

He made his remarks at a New York Gaming Summit, held in Saratoga Springs, which attracted more than 200 gaming industry leaders from throughout the country.

Phase 1 involves upgrading entrance roads (four lanes with an island landscaped with trees), outdoor signage, the entrance (Porte Cochere covering three lanes), building façade, and some interior work expanding and enhancing a bar/lounge area including installing a corner stage and large projection screen TV. Work is scheduled to begin later this year.

Company officials declined to put a price tag on the multi-year project.

Paul Post is a New York-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent