Pompano Park Morphing into a Racino

FLORIDA -- As reported by the South Florida Business Journal: "Suburban Pompano Beach is getting a 'racino' as its harness race track slowly morphs into a combination racetrack and casino.

"It
Pompano Park before new construction. 
Future look of the Pompano Park Racino.  could have been bigger. Some scaling back has been necessary because of the 50 percent state tax bite - plus license fees - on future gambling revenue, according to track officials.

"Now, plans are on hold for a 450-room, four-star hotel and a 250-room budget hotel on the Pompano Park property.

"In March, a development plan was announced for a 157,000-square-foot racino complex that is estimated to cost $140 million, said Tim Hinckly, president and COO of Pompano Park's owner, Isle of Capri Casinos (NASDAQ: ISLE).

"…The new racino complex will be a bit of upscale Las Vegas in South Florida, with action, light and sound. It will hold a gaming arena with 1,500 slot machines for 16-hour-a-day play, a multi-story feature bar with high-imagery audio and video, a high-tech sports bar, expanded simultaneous off-track betting facilities, an expanded poker parlor and four restaurants. Completion is targeted for late 2006 or early 2007…"