Developers reveal designs for new casino in Nashua

Developers have unveiled new designs and the name for the casino planned for the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua. ECL Entertainment, a Las Vegas-based gaming company, announced this week the new facility will be called The Nash Casino. The two-story, 180,000-square-foot space will take over the vacant anchor store last occupied by Sears. Plans for the casino were approved by the Nashua planning board last year. Like all New Hampshire casinos, The Nash will be required to give a 35% cut of its profits to registered non-profits. ECL expects the new Nashua facility to generate around $24 million annually for more than 100 charities. Developers plan to start recruiting workers to staff the casino later this summer by bringing an employment information center to the mall next month. The company expects The Nash to create between 500 and 600 new jobs. Neighbors in the Gate City have been split over the plans for the casino, which is set to become the largest in New Hampshire. Mags Pattantyus, a longtime Nashua resident, said she worries the casino may attract negative behavior to the city. "I think a casino, while it can help bring in revenue and help non-profits, it might not be the direction I want to see Nashua heading," Pattantyus said. Others, like fellow Nashua neighbor Jesse Dellea, said while they do not plan to visit themselves, they are pleased to see a new employer setting up shop and the long-vacant Sears facility finally filled. "I've never been a gambler," Dellea said. "But, I think consenting adults should be able to do whatever they want with their money, and if it brings jobs to the area, that's great." Developers are aiming to open the new casino this winter.

NASHUA, N.H. —

Developers have unveiled new designs and the name for the casino planned for the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua.

ECL Entertainment, a Las Vegas-based gaming company, announced this week the new facility will be called The Nash Casino.

The two-story, 180,000-square-foot space will take over the vacant anchor store last occupied by Sears. Plans for the casino were approved by the Nashua planning board last year.

ECL Entertainment

Like all New Hampshire casinos, The Nash will be required to give a 35% cut of its profits to registered non-profits. ECL expects the new Nashua facility to generate around $24 million annually for more than 100 charities.

Developers plan to start recruiting workers to staff the casino later this summer by bringing an employment information center to the mall next month. The company expects The Nash to create between 500 and 600 new jobs.

Neighbors in the Gate City have been split over the plans for the casino, which is set to become the largest in New Hampshire.

Mags Pattantyus, a longtime Nashua resident, said she worries the casino may attract negative behavior to the city.

"I think a casino, while it can help bring in revenue and help non-profits, it might not be the direction I want to see Nashua heading," Pattantyus said.

Others, like fellow Nashua neighbor Jesse Dellea, said while they do not plan to visit themselves, they are pleased to see a new employer setting up shop and the long-vacant Sears facility finally filled.

"I've never been a gambler," Dellea said. "But, I think consenting adults should be able to do whatever they want with their money, and if it brings jobs to the area, that's great."

Developers are aiming to open the new casino this winter.