NICHOLS — Tioga Downs has a new hotel and events center that it hopes will draw plenty of visitors to the racing, casino gaming, and entertainment complex in Nichols in Tioga County.

The hotel started welcoming guests on Nov. 6. New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, state and local dignitaries, and 200 guests commemorated the hotel’s formal opening at a Dec. 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception.

“We now have a convenient and comfortable place for guests of all ages to stay and enjoy the many wonderful amenities the property has to offer. This will make Tioga Downs an even bigger draw for weddings, parties, and conferences, bring visitors and tourism to Tioga County, and most importantly, ensure quality jobs for the hard-working men and women in the Southern Tier,” Jeff Gural, chairman of American Racing and Entertainment LLC, said in a news release.

The new hotel boasts 161 rooms and spans six floors, Tioga Downs said. The hotel also includes a new events center that can accommodate up to 400 guests for special occasions such as weddings and banquets. 

Besides the hotel, Tioga Downs also used the occasion to introduce additional amenities that included the AgeLess spa, fitness center, two rooftop decks, and P.J. Clarke’s restaurant.

The venue and its new amenities will create “hundreds” of new jobs, bringing the total number of Tioga Downs’ employees to about 700, according to the release.

Tioga Downs broke ground on the hotel project in September 2016, shortly after the state awarded Tioga Downs a full gaming license.

Casino

Tioga Downs opened its casino in December of last year and then launched its newly expanded gaming floor in February 2017.

The Tioga Downs casino steadily generated between $5.4 million and nearly $6 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) per month between April and October, according to the latest data from the New York State Gaming Commission. Tioga Downs’ average monthly GGR during that period was $5.75 million.

Now it bears watching to see if the casino’s revenue increases in the coming months following the addition of the hotel.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse University is planning a major renovation project at Archbold Gymnasium, using a $3.5 million donation to help fund it.

The improvements will include the creation of the Barnes Center at The Arch, a new health, wellness, and recreation complex, Syracuse said in a news release posted Dec. 1 on its website.

Kwang Tan, who earned a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from the College of Engineering and Computer Science in 1973, provided the donation.

The announcement of Tan’s donation follows a “generous” gift from Steven Barnes, a 1982 graduate of Syracuse University and the current chairman of the board of trustees, along with his wife, Deborah.

The university will use their donation to create the Barnes Center at The Arch, which will house all of the campus health and wellness services, including the Counseling Center, the Office of Health Promotion, Health Services, Recreation Services and the Office of Student Assistance — in one central location. 

The facility will include a “modern,” multi-floor fitness center, a rock climbing wall, and a multi-activity sports court. The center will have fully accessible locker rooms and restrooms.

About the project

Syracuse University describes The Arch as a “significant project of the Campus Framework, [which] seeks to enhance the student experience — inside and outside the classroom — as outlined in the vision of the Academic Strategic Plan.” 

Tan said he was drawn to the project for its potential to “positively impact the student experience in a holistic way,” providing a place where students can enjoy social and recreational activities that improve physical and emotional health, “part of a balanced campus experience.”

“The campus is being re-energized by the concepts of the Academic Strategic Plan and the Campus Framework. This new center brings into focus a vision for an environment that complements both living and learning,” Tan said. “Students need to be engaged in both academics and their well-being. Health and recreational opportunities are essential to their experience. The Arch will provide them with the spaces, equipment and services that will support them holistically throughout their time at Syracuse University.”

In honor of Tan’s donation to The Arch and his support of the “student experience,” Syracuse University will dedicate the second floor in his name.

In 2013, Tan funded a scholarship for two students, with a preference for first- or second-generation Chinese students. The Tan Family Education Foundation Scholarship is funded by his family foundation, Syracuse said.