Turning Stone Resort Casino plans biggest expansion since it opened
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Verona, N.Y. — Turning Stone Resort Casino is about to embark on its largest expansion project since opening in 1993.
The project, which will be completed over a period of several years, will nearly double the Oneida Indian Nation-owned resort’s convention and conference space, while also adding a new hotel, dining options and other amenities.
All the additions will be located on Turning Stone’s existing 1,600-acre campus, just off New York State Thruway Exit 33 in Verona. The new 250-room hotel will rival the size of the existing hotel called The Tower, which is among the tallest buildings in the state between Albany and Buffalo. But the new hotel may not necessarily be a high-rise.
Ground-breaking is expected sometime in 2023.
The project will focus on Turning Stone’s convention and conference capabilities, which are already operating at nearly full capacity, nation officials said. The existing hotels and accommodations are typically full, and conferences and other events are booked years in advance.
This expansion does not include any additions to the gaming operations at the full-service casino.
“Today we are experiencing record demand for hosting conferences and other events at Turning Stone that far outpaces our current hotel and convention facilities,” Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Oneida Nation Enterprises CEO, said in a news release. “This extensive multi-year expansion project will help us meet this rising need and even greater demand in the future.”
The Oneidas did not give an estimate for the project’s cost, but in scope it will be bigger than any of the other major improvements made at Turning Stone in the past two decades, nation officials said.
The construction will generate hundreds of jobs, the nation said, and the completed project will allow Oneida Nation Enterprises to boost its existing workforce, which now stands at about 4,400.
The Oneidas chose San Francisco-based architecture and design firm Gensler to work on the expansion. Its work has included such destinations as City Center in Las Vegas, the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center near Washington, D.C. and Walt Disney World’s Swan Reserve.
The Turning Stone project is still in its early stages, so there are not yet any architectural drawings or renderings. Many details are still being worked out.
In the news release from the Oneida Indian Nation, the project was welcomed by the region’s elected and economic development officials, including Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Verona Town Supervisor Scott Musacchio, Mohawk Valley Edge President Steven DiMeo and CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson.
“At a time when many businesses are postponing or canceling investments, the Oneida Indian Nation is moving forward yet again with a major expansion at Turning Stone that will create good-paying jobs for hundreds of our members and support the continued growth of our region,” Greg Lancette, president of the Central/Northern Building Trades Council, said in the release. “Our motto has always been that if the Oneida Indian Nation can dream it, we can build it. We are honored to once again play a part in bringing these dreams to reality. "
Turning Stone opened 1993 and originally included a hotel and a bingo hall. After the Oneidas signed a gaming compact with the state, it became a full-service casino, with slot machines, table games and a poker room, along with other amenities like concert venues, golf courses and spas.
Previous big expansion projects included building the existing hotel Tower and the Event Center about 20 years ago. In 2013, several dining and nightlife venues were added in what is known as the Exit 33 wing.
Last year, the resort started a multimillion project that included renovations to its restaurants, including the newly reformatted 7 Kitchens Buffet, its retail store spaces and improvements to its Showroom.
Earlier this year, the Oneidas unveiled the Villages at Stoney Creek, a $15 million on-site residential community for employees.
Turning Stone frequently appears on lists of top destination resorts in the region, including a four-star rating from Forbes.
In addition to Turning, Oneida Nation Enterprises operates two other full-service casinos, YBR in Chittenango and Point Place in Bridgeport. Other businesses include The Lake House and The Cove in Sylvan Beach, and Maple Leaf Markets, and SāvOn convenience stores around the region.
Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him atNYup.com, on or .
