The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Point Place well on its way
BRIDGEPORT, N.Y. » Progress on the Oneida Indian Nation’s Point Place Casino is moving faster than originally anticipated.
OIN Vice President of Communications Joel Barkin confirmed construction was going well on Wednesday, saying, “Construction is ahead of schedule.”
The Nation has a general manager for the new casino in place and hiring will begin in the fall, Barkin said. There will not be any outdoor venues such as concert stages or golf courses complimenting the 65,000 square foot casino.
Point Place Casino, the latest in the Nation’s record of Central New York investments and second Madison County casino, will be located on Route 31, near the corner of Bridgeport-Kirkville Road, just a few hundred feet from the Cicero border. The casino was announced in April 2017.
The casino is expected to open in spring 2018.
The new smoke-free facility will be approximately 65,000 square feet and will feature a modern gaming floor with nearly 500 slot machines and 20 table games, as well as two fast-casual counter service restaurants, including the newest location of Wicked Good Pizza, and Burgers of Madison County. Additionally, Point Place Casino will also introduce a second location of Opals Confectionery, the chocolatier and bakery from Turning Stone, and will also feature two bars.
Point Place Casino will create more than 200 full and part-time jobs in the Town of Sullivan. The casino will open a recruitment office in Cicero and will begin hiring in fall 2017. The construction of Point Place Casino will create
250 local construction jobs.
Oneida Nation officials have taken extra time to ensure construction plans mitigate onsite noise, light and drainage issues, security and public safety measures. As per property records accessed via the Madison County Clerk’s Office, since July of 2016, the Oneida Indian Nation has acquired nearly 110 acres of land in Bridgeport at a cost of $1.35 million.