Horse Palace Swan Ranch opens its doors
Source:aol
Wyoming Horse Racing hosted community members and elected officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new $25 million Horse Palace at Swan Ranch, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA.
Though there’s no actual horses there, the 30,000-square-foot facility houses many slot machines and other gaming machines in an area called the “player’s club,” a concert stage, a bar that wraps around the wall leading into a steakhouse, and, eventually, a Dunkin’ Donuts.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees were treated to an open bar, food and even some free cowboy hats.
The ceremony began with remarks from Nick Hughes, president of Pacesetter Racing & Gaming, the company that acquired WHR in 2021, inheriting all nine of its locations across the state.
Hughes estimated between 70% and 75% of their customers will come from the Colorado market, which is why they built it close to the border. Such a facility would not have been allowed in Colorado because historic horse racing, a type of gaming that WHR runs, is illegal in that state.
When working with Kentucky Downs, Hughes said he invested in a similar facility in Kentucky near the Tennessee border, with potential to tap into the Nashville market due to varying gaming regulations between the states.
In July, WHR has plans to break ground on a similar facility near Evanston, with hopes to tap into the Utah market.
“Obviously, you can’t open this everywhere because you need to be close to a border,” Hughes said. “There’s only so many opportunities, but Utah, for us, in Evanston, will be a carbon copy of this (Swan Ranch facility).”
Horse Palace Swan Ranch grand opening
“Wyoming deserves this (facility), Cheyenne deserves this, Evanston deserves this,” Hughes said. “It needs to have something that they can look at and be proud of.”
Horse Palace Swan Ranch officially opens to the public Saturday and is nearly complete.
Steven Jimenez, WHR executive general manager, said they’re currently operating with a condensed menu, with plans to expand soon.
Currently, the facility has 140 full- and part-time jobs. Hughes said they have to expand in stages, with potential to create 340 jobs at some point in the future, though no specific plans have been announced.
Wyoming Horse Racing, LLC was founded in 2008 and since then has been providing Live Horse Racing events in addition to simulcasting along with several Horse Palace OTB locations around Wyoming that also provide gaming entertainment with Historical Horse Racing terminals. They are committed to reach out and support all facets of the equine community which includes owners, breeders, trainers, vets, and auxiliary businesses that rely on a healthy agricultural economy. They are proud to provide the community a friendly.
