CHAMPION, Pensylvania - Officials from Seven Springs Mountain Resort today unveiled the exterior design of a planned $5.4 million casino that would create approximately 350 new jobs for local citizens and generate millions in property tax relief for Pennsylvania homeowners. The event was also attended by local, county and state officials, business community leaders and private residents.

"We're excited to build a facility that will benefit so many people in our region," said Scott Bender, president and chief operating officer of Seven Springs. "Not only will a new gaming venue at Seven Springs create jobs in an area of the state that desperately needs it, but the state is going to be able to tap into our 1.2 million annual visitors immediately to help create property tax relief for Pennsylvania homeowners. Significant revenues will also go to local and county governments. We look forward to making our case to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for a Category 3 license."

"Seven Springs has been rated the top ski resort in the mid-Atlantic, and the gaming facility will only enhance that reputation," said Ron Aldom, executive director, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce. "That can only benefit our local businesses, economy and create more family-sustaining jobs. This is a good day for our region."

"We're excited and we look forward to working with Seven Springs in attracting more visitors to the region. It will add yet another amenity for visitors to enjoy while in the Laurel Highlands," Annie Urban, executive director of the Laurel Highland Visitors Bureau, said. "This facility is gong to help our region grow."

The proposed 26,900 square-foot gaming facility will be constructed onto the Conference Center wing of the Main Lodge complex and will allow for convenient access for both drive-in and overnight guests. The octagon-shaped building will have a rustic architectural style and construction treatments utilizing native stone, exposed timbers with wood and glass exteriors designed to complement all existing resort facilities and landscapes. Approximately 15,000 square feet will be necessary for the 500 slot machines. Of this, 1,900 square feet will be utilized for a dining and seating area. There will also be a bar and lounge area in the center of the gaming floor. "It was important to us that the design fit nicely into the mountain theme that our visitors have come to enjoy and appreciate as being unique to Seven Springs," Bender said. "Our guests will not see something flashy and filled with neon. It's important to us to preserve the mountain character of the resort and the family-first atmosphere we have always enjoyed."

Since the casino will be connected to the Conference Center wing off the Main Lodge, visitors will not find it necessary to walk past slot machines in order to get to their rooms, the dining areas or the slopes. In keeping with the resort's long-standing commitment to safety, a state-of-the-art security system will be in place at the facility to ensure that our guests feel secure when visiting the resort.

"Seven Springs has always invested heavily in the security for our guests," Bender said. "We will spare no expense in making sure our visitors enjoy their experience."

State law created two Category 3 licenses for resorts and allows for 500 slot machines -- by far, the smallest of any category in the state. For example, Category 1 and 2 licenses will allow horse racing tracks and stand alone parlors to add up to 5,000 slot machines.

If Seven Springs is successful in their bid for a license, slots revenues will also help expedite several improvement projects at the resort, including:

• Construction of the first outdoor phase of a 2.5-acre water park, to be
  located in front of the high-rise hotel at the base of the slopes.
  While many details are still in development, plans include a lazy river,
  a zero-entry pool, several chutes and slides, children's and refreshment
  areas, a place for simply relaxing poolside and nightly water fountain
  shows.
  
• Each of the 400 rooms in the resort's 10-story high-rise hotel will be
  renovated during a $4 million overhaul. Enhancing the Seven Springs
  experience, the lodge is also scheduled to receive an extensive makeover
  with improvements to many public spaces, including the addition of a day
  spa and comprehensive fitness center.
  
• Continued automation of the resort's snow making system, the addition of
  another six-seat high speed chairlift on the North Face, and expanding
  ski terrain to include the Great Western area.

"During peak ski season, Seven Springs fills every hotel in Somerset County and many hotels in Fayette and Westmoreland counties," Bender said. "With the first-class water park we hope to introduce this summer, Seven Springs is giving people another reason to come year-round.

"Seven Springs also has become a major convention center, hosting nearly 1,000 conferences and meetings each year. A gaming license will enable Seven Springs to continue to compete with out-of-state gaming venues that are expanding their facilities to include convention space and lodging. In doing so, the state will be helping to protect the 1,500 jobs Seven Springs provides each year."

The firm responsible for designing the Seven Springs gaming facility is JCJ Architecture, Inc. of Hartford, Connecticut. JCJ is a 70-year old firm with 180 design professionals that specialize in architecture, interiors, master planning and economic development. They have performed approximately $5 billion in gaming design work throughout the world working, including Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, Seneca Niagara Casino and Spa Hotel in upstate New York, Viejas Casino & Turf Club in California and Seven Hills Beach and Resort Casino, U.S. Virgin Islands.

"We've put together a first-rate team that has considerable experience in designing casinos that are visually attractive and fun for visitors," Bender said.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort, located in Champion, Pa., is Pennsylvania's largest ski and year-round resort, and was recently rated #1 in the mid- Atlantic region by readers of SKI magazine. Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C., Seven Springs is easily accessible from either exit 91 or 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information on Seven Springs, visit http://www.7springs.com or call 800-452-2223.