Last month, Hoosier Park announced its plans to build a 92,696-square-foot building to house slot machines. Now it says the $30 million project will be completed by next June.
"This is a fast-track program. We want to be open and ready for fun by June of 2008," said Kyle Tuttle of LPCiminelli, a Buffalo, N.Y.-based company that will serve as the project manager. "The saying is, we have a long way to go and a short time to get there. Time is of the essence."
In addition to LPCiminelli, Hoosier Park has brought on Geupel-DeMars-Hagerman Construction Managers to oversee the construction process. Hagerman has already purchased concrete foundations, masonry, structural steel and other construction components. But those purchases account for just $2.5 million of the total project cost and leave 25 bid packages available for contractors.
Desired services include carpet, electrical work, light fixtures, roofing, painting, sheet metal and fire protection. Hoosier Park ownership will provide its own slots, security and surveillance, information technology, marketing, racing, cage equipment, slot signage, interior and exterior signage, closed-circuit TV system, and special and theming contractors.
"We have less than eight months to get $30 million worth of work done," Tuttle said. "Our contractors will be working 10-hour days and a good portion of the work will be double shifts."
In February, Hoosier Park majority owner Centaur acquired Churchill Down's interest in the track. In April, the Indiana General Assembly approved legislation to allow slot machine gaming at Indiana's two pari-mutuel horse racing tracks, Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville. House Enrolled Act 1835 authorized 2,000 slot machines at each track with a $300 million licensing fee to be paid to the state.
Although the project is being funded with private dollars through Centaur, the project is regulated through the Indiana Gaming Commission, which requires certain standards. Hoosier Park will make a best-faith effort to follow guidelines set forth by the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment with regard to Minority Business Enterprises (MB) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE).
MBEs will be awarded 23.2 percent of construction, 4.2 percent of procurement, 11.2 percent of professional services and 2.9 percent of other contracts. WBEs, meanwhile, will receive 10.9 percent of construction, 2.5 percent of procurement, 7.8 percent of professional services and 1.8 percent of other contracts.
"With the help of Hoosier Park and other business, we are bringing new opportunities for jobs to exist in Anderson," said Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith. "We are interested in providing a superior-quality product with new sewer lines, water lines and roads."
Contractors are required to complete a prequalification form. Tuttle said a project labor agreement is in the draft stages that could affect some contractors.
Jeff Hagerman of Geupel-DeMars-Hagerman said that in most cases, the two lowest bidders will be brought in for a conference. Bids may be awarded as quickly as 48 hours after submission.
Tuttle said Hoosier Park's existing grandstand building will be completed gutted and remodeled in order to better blend with the new casino building. The meeting was held in the Hall of Fame room, for example, which will house a restaurant and lounge.
"When we first came to Anderson 14 years ago, the community embraced us and they haven't let go once," said Jeff Smith, managing director for Centaur Racing. "We have a commitment to the community and we take that commitment seriously. I firmly believe that we can create a facility that is second to none that you can be proud of."
Smith said a Centaur racino project in Pennsylvania was recently given the green light. Between the two projects, he said, Centaur will spend $900 million, including a $150 million licensing fee to the Indiana Gaming Commission on Nov. 1.