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Casino Niagara Complex Starts Construction; 
$500 million+ Canadian Project includes 
Hyatt Hotel, Casino and Theme Park

Niagara hits the jackpot as construction of new casino under way
     
NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Oct. 22, 2001 - Bart Maves, MPP for Niagara Falls and Tim Hudak, MPP for Erie-Lincoln, were on hand today as construction for the new Casino Niagara officially got underway. Ron D. Barbaro, Chair and CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and Nick Pritzker, Chairman and CEO of Hyatt Development Corporation also joined Maves and Hudak today.

"It has been a tough time for the tourism industry in the region, but I'm confident that with the start of construction for the casino it will serve as a catalyst for getting tourism back on its feet again," Hudak said

"The start of construction will create a new wave of economic momentum in the community as we prepare to award $100-125 million in contracts for mechanical, electrical and concrete work resulting in an immediate ripple effect on the Niagara Region," Barbaro said.
 

"Hyatt is excited, enthusiastic and above all, confident that we will be able to provide this region with the world-class facility it deserves," said Nick Pritzker, Chairman and CEO of Hyatt Development Corporation.

"I am extremely pleased that so many Niagara residents have had the opportunity to participate in the ground-breaking and start of construction for the new Casino Niagara Complex," said Maves. "This is a tremendous boost to the Niagara economy and people should realize that the estimated investment in the new Casino Niagara Complex is 

 
Hyatt Hotel Rendering / 
the Casino/Gateway Project 
in Niagara Falls, Ontario
approximately the equivalent of building three new Air Canada Centres."

The Niagara Falls Casino/Gateway Project is part of a larger vision to revitalize the Niagara Falls region by transforming it into a unique, year-round tourist destination which will draw and expand on the existing tourist base and increase visitors' length of stay.

The Casino complex will contain 3,000 slot machines and 150 table games, a 368-room Hyatt hotel, extensive meeting and exhibition space, a world class retail facility, restaurants and entertainment venues.

The Gateway project includes several off-site attractions such as River Country - a major theme park concept, a 12,000-seat amphitheatre and a people mover system.

Niagara Falls Casino/Gateway Project Fact Sheet
     
The Niagara Falls Casino/Gateway Project, which began construction on October 22, 2001 is part of a larger vision to revitalize the Niagara Falls region by transforming it into a unique, year-round tourist destination, which will draw and expand on the existing tourist base and increase visitors' length of stay.
     
Located on an eight-hectare site on Murray Hill overlooking the Horseshoe Falls, the casino complex - featuring a casino containing 3,000 slot machines and 150 table games, a 368-room Hyatt hotel, extensive meeting and exhibition space, a world-class retail facility, restaurants, and entertainment venues - will enhance Niagara Falls' status as a premier tourism destination.
     
The design of the casino and tourism components preserves the natural beauty of the Niagara escarpment and stimulates the use of existing and future regional tourism facilities. This concept reflects international trends in attraction development which are geared towards making the best use of an existing space and linking with surrounding natural and developed sites to strengthen an entire tourism area.
     
The complex also includes several off-site attractions including plans for a people mover system which will connect new and existing attractions to each other and to the casino.
     
Following are some of the highlights of the Casino/Gateway development:
     
Casino/Entertainment/Hotel Complex / 24-hour casino
The casino will feature 3,000 slot machines and 150 table games. This
tastefully appointed room will emanate a sense of elegance while maintaining the excitement and energy that is a hallmark of the casino experience.
     
368-room Hyatt hotel
The 368-room hotel will feature the same superior quality and amenities found at other Hyatt hotels and resorts including meeting space, restaurants and lounges and a Hyatt health spa.
     
Special event/meeting space
50,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space is designed to attract the growing small and medium-size exhibition and meetings market. The functional, state-of-the-art facilities are suitable for corporate meetings, conferences, fund-raising events and receptions.
     
Performing arts centre
This versatile, multi-purpose space has a capacity for up to 1,500 guests and will serve as a live theatre and special events centre.
     
Food and beverage outlets
The Casino complex will include a variety of restaurants offering a wide range of food and beverage options to suit all tastes. Highly themed, diverse restaurants will cater to people on the go, families or couples looking for romantic settings.
     
New retail experience
Reflecting the latest trends in retail merchandising, the shops at the Casino Complex will offer a lively array of services, specialty stores, restaurants, lounges and entertainment experiences.
     
Hyatt Health Spa
Guests can enjoy a full-service health spa featuring a fitness centre with whirlpool, sauna, steam and massage rooms, exercise facility and swimming pool.
     
Gateway Visitor Information Centre
Through an innovative mix of information services, presentations, and personal service, this tourist information centre will reach millions of people each year.
     
Off-Site Attractions
River Country: Marineland Expansion
Falls Management Company will assist in the development of River Country, a major theme park concept, proposed as an addition to Marineland. River Country, a celebration of life and nature in and around rivers, will feature a number of key attractions. These include: a thrilling Wild River Raft Ride; an idyllic lake with a 650-metre long white sand beach; paddleboat rentals; a picnic pavillion; a children's creative play area devoted to water activities;
 River Town, a quaint village entertainment and food services area; and an old fashioned steam engine train ride.

Amphitheatre
This 12,000-seat, off-site outdoor concert facility is a first-class venue capable of attracting some of the world's top entertainers.
     
People Mover
Falls Management Company is participating with the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks Commission, provincial and federal governments and other key stakeholders to help make the people mover project a reality.
OLGC, Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway and the City of Niagara Falls have reached an agreement which will allow for the purchase of a downtown rail line and the relocation of train operations out of the Niagara Falls city core. OLGC's contribution of $15 million towards the removal of the tracks is an important first step in the realization of the people mover project for the benefit of the entire Niagara Region. Falls Management Company contributed $7.5 million to the removal of the rail line and the City of Niagara Falls contributed $12.5 million.
     
The people mover will serve as a major transportation linkage enabling more than five million riders to access the Casino/Gateway Project and other attractions in a safe, efficient and convenient manner. An attraction in its own right, the people mover will bring significant tourism benefits to the city, and will become one of the internationally recognized symbols of Niagara Falls.

###
Contact:

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
   (416) 224-7034

 
Also See Niagara Falls: With Supply Comes Demand / The Canadian Lodging Outlook / May 2001 
Hyatt Signs Agreement to Build Niagara Falls Casino/Gateway Project / Sept 1998 

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