Back in December 2007, Boyd Gaming was considering its options regarding the Dania Jai-Alai venue in Broward County. A slots licence had been granted and Boyd had intended to operate slots from late 2008 but the three other newly opened slots halls at the County’s pari-mutuels were discovering that revenue was coming in below projections. In May this year the gaming company agreed to sell the property it had purchased in 2007 for US$152.5 million to private investors Dania Entertainment LLC for US$80 million.
Earlier this week at a local residents meeting, Dania Entertainment released its plans for a reconfigured Jai-Alai stadium, a casino and a marina plus updated poker room and simulcasting facilities. The project includes a hotel with two swimming pools and several restaurants as well as a 60,000 sq ft gaming floor with 1,500 slot machines. The fronton playing area is to be extended and will be convertible into a performance stage for live entertainment. It is hoped that a 60-berth marina will be developed together with shops and restaurants and the project plans, submitted last month, are likely to come up on the agenda of the city commission before the end of the month.
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With the necessary approvals in place construction on the Dania Jai-Alai venue could begin soon with completion of the renovation and casino projected for February 2013. Dania Entertainment believes that permanent jobs for around 1,800 people will be created as well as over 1,250 construction jobs initially. In May, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming Keith Smith said, "After a careful analysis, we determined that Dania Jai-Alai no longer fits our current growth strategy.” The new investors must be betting they can turn the venue around and make it a winner. (E-08.04.11)
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