WHEELING, W. Va., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The doors to the new $67 million expansion will open on Thursday, June 26th, Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center announced today from inside its new showroom location currently under construction.

In addition to the 660-seat showroom, the expansion project will include 570 additional slot machines, a 151-room deluxe hotel, a fine dining restaurant, a casual restaurant, a food court and two lounges. The multi-purpose showroom and a new conference center are expected to further enhance Wheeling Island's entertainment and meeting capabilities. To accommodate visitors to the new facility, the company is increasing its parking spaces to a total of approximately 2,800, including 180 covered spaces.

"We are on schedule, on budget, and looking forward to opening our doors on June 26th," Scott Cooper, President of Wheeling Island, said. "We are about to take the entertainment experience to a whole new level for tri-state area gaming enthusiasts."

The expansion adds an additional 300,000 square feet of new amenities to Wheeling Island, including an 85,000 square foot hotel, 35,000 additional square feet of gaming, an 8,500 square foot showroom and 14,000 square feet of dining.

The new dining venues include The Pointe, an 80-seat fine dining restaurant adjacent to the new gaming floor. The Breezeway Cafe, located next door to The Pointe, will seat an additional 130 for casual faire. The Pirate's Food Cove will feature four venues that include an American menu, Italian menu, Asian menu and Jake's Coffee House.

Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center also announced details on a dynamic partnership with global entertainment giant Clear Channel Entertainment which will schedule the shows for the new 660-seat state of the art showroom facility.

"Working with Clear Channel Entertainment will enhance our abilities to provide a premiere alternative to entertainment seekers in the tri-state area," Cooper announced. "Along with our newest gaming, lodging and dining options, we are very pleased to soon offer another quality entertainment product to our guests."

Clear Channel Entertainment is a leading producer and marketer of live entertainment events. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books approximately 135 live entertainment venues, including more than 100 in North American and 30 in Europe. Clear Channel venues in the tri-state area include Post-Gazette Pavilion at Star Lake Amphitheater, The Amphitheater at Station Square, Capital Music Hall, Jamboree USA, Jamboree In The Hills, Polaris and many others.

"Clear Channel is pleased to partner with Wheeling Island in its production of live music and other entertainment events at the gaming facility," Rich Engler, President, CEO and Talent Buyer, for Clear Channel Entertainment Pittsburgh said. "The combination of Clear Channel's ability to produce live entertainment along with Wheeling Island's gaming entertainment options will provide a dynamic partnership for the region."

Country Music Star Collin Raye will open the showroom on Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th with two shows each day at Wheeling Island. The popular artist has had 15 Number-One hits during his career, including "Couldn't Last A Moment," "Love Me" and "That's My Story." Dates were also announced three additional shows: Starship starring Mickey Thomas on July 25th, The Turtles on August 22nd, and Andy Griggs on September 20th. Tickets will be on sale at Wheeling Island beginning May 1st.

"There is no doubt that the new gaming and hotel complex, as well as the Clear Channel Entertainment relationship, will make Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center a true gaming and entertainment destination," Cooper said.

Wheeling Island Gaming, Inc. owns and operates Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center, a premier gaming and entertainment complex located in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is the largest operation of Sportsystems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, Inc.

During the 2002 calendar year, Wheeling Island's annual attendance climbed to approximately two million customers.

Delaware North Companies, Inc. is one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Sportsystems, Delaware North Parks Services, CA One Services, Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International, the FleetCenter, and the newly acquired Delta Queen Steamboat Company. Delaware North is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with more than $1.6 billion in annual revenue and 25,000 associates serving millions of customers in the United States, Canada and the Pacific Rim.

Source: Wheeling Island Gaming, Inc.