Bangor track eyes further expansion, improvement Favorable vote on off-track betting facility paves way

The good news just keeps galloping toward Bangor Historic Track Inc.

The Maine Harness Racing Commission’s recent 5-0 vote in favor of granting Pennsylvania-based Penn National Gaming Inc. a state license to operate an off-track betting facility in Bangor means further expansion and continued improvement of Bangor Raceway.

The past weekend was the last one of operation for the OTB at its former location on Main Street at Miller’s Restaurant. Officials have been moving the operation over to Bass Park and the Bangor Raceway grandstand.

“Things are coming along pretty well and we’re running ahead of our timetable,” said Fred Nichols, Bangor Raceway’s general manager. “Right now, we’re working like heck to get the facilities set up.

“Although I can’t guarantee it, I’m shooting for a Wednesday opening at 6 p.m., which would be about eight days ahead of schedule.”

After waiting years to get to this point, Nichols doesn’t mind waiting a few extra days, although it appears he won’t have to. The relocation of the OTB parlor transforms Bangor Raceway from a seasonal to a year-round business, creates more job security for employees, and may even mean a few more jobs in the area.

“It’s going to bring people into that grandstand year round as opposed to just on race days, and OTB funds go into the general purse account for the horsemen racing there, which translates into bigger [Bangor Raceway] race purses as time goes by,” Nichols explained. “It’s a profitable business, and those profits will join with that of the raceway’s.

“As far as jobs, there’s a crew working at Miller’s which will be coming over with the OTB, but we will probably hire a couple more people.”

Nichols said the OTB’s presence will also spur more interest in simulcasting more races than are currently done. All of Bangor Raceway’s races are already simulcast to other tracks and OTB parlors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maine, although Nichols said Raceway officials want to get Bangor races simulcast at more facilities along the East Coast.

“We get added revenue for races we simulcast and we get 3 to 5 percent of the handle generated from the races simulcast from our track,” Nichols said. “There are other states we’re looking to get into as well.”

The OTB is the second phase of Bangor Raceway’s revitalization. The first began last year with the refurbishment and improvement of the grandstand facility and continues this year with the addition of an upscale dining facility, which should be in full operation in two to three weeks. The third phase involves the opening of a temporary gaming facility with 500 slot machines at the Miller’s location. That’s expected to be finished by the end of the year.

It’s all part of the eventual $75 million conversion of the raceway into a multiple-event “racino” facility encompassing a raceway, OTB parlor, and gaming complex with up to 1,500 slot machines.

“This is a big shot in the arm for us. Once the racino is open, there are quite a few benefits for the harness racing industry and the area in terms of purses and funding for agricultural fairs, the commercial track, and the Maine Friars’ Stakes,” Nichols said. “This will benefit the entire state in terms of funding and for the raceway in terms of continuity. Prior to this, the racing industry was in dire shape with declining purses year after year. This pretty much assures continuity of racing in the state.”

June madness

Bangor Raceway has come up with a unique contest to celebrate the opening of the off-track betting facility at the raceway grandstand.

“I think people are really going to enjoy it. We have a handicapping contest set up like the NCAA Tournament brackets with 64 entrants,” said raceway general manager Fred Nichols. “I wanted to do something special to welcome people to the new facility. This seemed like it would be a lot of fun and it’s free to enter.”

The contest, which will be held each Wednesday starting July 6, involves 64 people picking races from The Meadowlands complex in New Jersey. Entrants will be paired up randomly, pick 10 races, and earn points based on how many correct picks they make. The player with the higher point total moves on to the second round to face another first-round winner.

The last entrant standing wins a free trip to Penn National’s resort at Hollywood Casino near Memphis, Tenn., for four days and three nights.

More than 40 people have already signed up. Once 64 slots are filled, the contest is closed.

Anyone wishing to enter can pick up an entry form during any race night (Friday or Saturday) or day (Sunday), or call the raceway office at 947-4300.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600 or at aneff@bangordailynews.net.