“Savor New York — MacKenzie-Childs at del Lago” will Offer Guests a Unique Retail Experience 
Pairing MacKenzie-Childs Collections with Local Brands

TYRE, N.Y. (Sept. 20, 2016) — Del Lago Resort & Casino furthers its mission to act as a gateway to the Finger Lakes region by announcing a partnership with MacKenzie-Childs. The iconic American luxury home furnishings company will open a 2,000-square-foot store, “Savor New York — MacKenzie-Childs at del Lago” inside the casino. The store will feature MacKenzie-Childs products, all designed in Aurora, New York, overlooking Cayuga Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. The store will also showcase a selection of special products produced by companies based in the Finger Lakes, including local wineries, breweries, spirits and cheesemakers — celebrating the region’s many bounties.

“The vision for del Lago Resort & Casino has always been to embrace and promote all that the region has to offer, including local tourist destinations, businesses, and the many cheesemakers, wineries, breweries and abundant agriculture of our area,” del Lago’s Executive Vice President and General Manager Jeff Babinski said. “The partnership with MacKenzie-Childs will allow us to pair a local yet nationally known brand with other area vendors and purveyors to highlight our region and del Lago as a gateway to the Finger Lakes.”

“The combination of our two brands with a curated collection of local New York products will provide a unique offering and experience for del Lago guests,” Aurora Holdings CEO John Ling said. “The collection that we will offer, combined with the del Lago experience, cannot be found anywhere else — we are truly looking forward to bringing this new concept to the Finger Lakes region.”

Since 1983, MacKenzie-Childs has made handcrafted ceramics, enamelware, glassware, furniture and home accessories — each piece a one-of-a-kind collectible. From plates to planters, teapots to tureens, MacKenzie-Childs designs are alive with individuality. The collection featured at del Lago will be curated especially for the resort and casino and will feature some of the best MacKenzie-Childs classic products, as well as new items. It will also include a special section of luxury home furnishing selections from MacKenzie-Childs’ sister brand, Jay Strongwater.

“Savor New York — MacKenzie-Childs at del Lago” will open when the casino opens to the public in February 2017.

About del Lago Resort & Casino
The $440 million 205-room hotel, spa and casino will include a banquet facility, several restaurants, lounges, 2,500 person entertainment center and other world-class amenities. Del Lago Resort & Casino will feature Savor New York, a unique retail outlet where local vendors will bring the Finger Lakes region directly to del Lago patrons with a wide variety of local fruits, cheeses, baked goods, wines and beers, and other area specialties. The casino will feature 2,000 slot machines and 85 gaming tables, including 10 poker tables. Del Lago will create 1,800 construction jobs and 1,800 permanent jobs, and will generate more than $90 million annually for New York state and local governments. The resort and casino was awarded a New York State casino license in December 2015 and will open to the public in the first half of 2017. For more information, visit www.delLagoResort.com.

About Aurora Brands
Aurora Brands, the owner of two iconic American luxury home and lifestyle brands: MacKenzie-Childs and Jay Strongwater.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Aurora, New York, MacKenzie-Childs is a design driven leader in the luxury home furnishings and personal accessories market. MacKenzie-Childs creates exceptional customer loyalty through its commitment to the company’s unique design aesthetic and lifestyle statement. The brand has a strong multi-channel sales presence, including a robust direct to consumer business, wholesale distribution in the leading luxury department stores and independent home retailers, and three branded retail stores.

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in New York, NY, Jay Strongwater is an internationally recognized luxury brand in home and personal accessories. The company has established a reputation throughout the world for its uniquely designed and handcrafted “jewels for the home,” and ranks among the most important premium luxury brands in its distribution channels. Jay Strongwater is distributed in leading luxury department stores, fine independent retailers and through its direct to consumer business.

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WATERLOO — The casino portion of the del Lago project in Tyre is 74 percent complete and on target to open in February, the Seneca County Board of Supervisors was told Tuesday.

James McKenna, vice president of Wilmorite, builder of the $440 million resort and casino on Route 414, said work on the hotel and parking garage is also on schedule and there are more than 600 workers on the site.
Del Lago General Manager Jeff Babinski gave an update on the promised hiring of 1,800 workers for the facility.

He said 1,500 employees will work in the casino and 300 at the hotel. Babinski said 19 executives and managers have been hired, some from the immediate region.

He described how schools are scheduled to train and hire the 480 table game and poker dealers the casino will employ.

“We have 188 signed up now for the first dealer school, which starts October 3. We hope to have 240 in that first class and another 240 in a second class that starts Nov. 8,” Babinski said.

“More than 2,000 people have applied for jobs, about 1,200 of them from within a 20-mile radius of the casino,” he said.
Waterloo, Seneca Falls, Geneva and Auburn produced the most applicants.
“It was slow to start, but we’ve had three job fairs and it has picked up. We’re ramping up our hiring,” Babinski said.

In other matters:

BIRMINGHAM — The board presented retiring Deputy Commissioner of Human Services Peg Birmingham with a plaque in recognition of her 32 years of employment with the county.

“We thank you for your many years of service. You will be missed,” said board chairman Gary Westfall, D-Waterloo.

Human Services Commissioner Charles Schillaci called Birmingham a “go-to person who gets things done.”

“She loves a challenge. Staff development was her passion. She’s been a great asset to the department and the county. I wish her well,” Schillaci said.

“I’m grateful to Seneca County for giving me this opportunity. I was never bored and I urge you to retain your employees. They work hard,” Birmingham said.

Westfall later said the county needs to look closely at what it offers in salaries to employees in order to retain them to move up to fill key positions when long-time administrators, such as Birmingham, retire.

MASTER PLAN — Supervisors unanimously approved a contract with Passero Associates of Rochester for $77,200 for a facilities master plan.
The decision to abandon and sell the Health Department building on Thurber Drive and to purchase the former BonaDent building prompted the need for the plan on allocation of office space at the DiPronio Drive campus.

ROUTE 318 SEWERS — In a unanimous vote, the board approved an amended contract with Barton & Loguidice of Liverpool for engineering services related to the county-sponsored Route 318 sewer system expansion and improvement project in Tyre and Junius.

The company would be paid up to $1.2 million for preliminary and final design, permitting, bidding, construction administration and oversight of the $10 million project, designed to spur residential and commercial development on Route 318.

ROOM TAX — The board voted 12-2 to introduce a local law seeking state approval to extend the county’s 3 percent hotel-motel room occupancy tax for another three years, effective Dec. 8.

A public hearing on the local law will be 6 p.m. Oct. 11.
The revenue goes to promote the county’s tourism efforts, provided by the Chamber of Commerce.

Board member Bob Shipley, R-Waterloo, said the county’s tourism advisory committee asked that the tax be increased to 4 percent. He said it passed the Assembly, but did not pass in the State Senate.

“Our state senator (Mike Nozzolio) did not advocate for this, so we will try again in 2017 with the new state senator elected in November,” Shipley said.
Nozzolio is not seeking re-election.

Supervisor Bob Hayssen, R-Varick, said the county receives enough revenue from the 3 percent tax and the increase isn’t needed. He also said he was voting no because the tax on summer rentals was not enforced.

David Kaiser, R-Romulus, joined Hayssen in voting no.

Tyre. N.Y. – Construction on the new Del Lago Resort and Casino in Seneca County is on-time and on budget.

The project is nearly 70 percent complete, and casino management is ramping up to fill 1,800 jobs.

“We’re looking to train 480 people interested in becoming dealers,” said Del Lago Executive Vice President Jeff Babinski.

An open house is being held in Clyde on Wednesday for those interested in training classes in table games and poker.

Tuesday, workers were busy cutting metal beams to install and loading materials, getting the $440 million casino and hotel ready for game day.

“We’ll have 85 table games, 10 of which will be poker,” said Babinski. “The rest of the casino will have slot machines.”

The resort also includes a farmers market, a 2,500-seat entertainment center, bar area and a section offering Finger Lakes wines and craft beers.

The frame is up on the hotel and spa. But that will be the last piece of the project, opening about six months after the casino.

“We’re going to bring over three million visitors to the Finger Lakes region,” said Babinski.

Babinski said they are in the process of working with businesses to build an infrastructure for a rewards points system. This allows players to use those points at areas businesses boosting the local economy.

Some neighbors are looking forward to it, like Gary Schlegel of Magee Country Diner.

“It’s going to help the county,” he said. “It’s going to bring more revenue, hopefully, and taxes lowered, you know, land values are going to go up.”

“We’ll probably go, my husband and I,” said Apryle Dutcher, who lives in Phelps. “We don’t gamble a lot, but we do go on occasion.”

The casino opens its doors to the public in February.

To view the video click the link below:

http://13wham.com/news/top-stories/del-lago-casino-ramping-up-to-fill-1800-jobs

SENECA COUNTY, N.Y. — Thanks to a mild winter, construction at Del Lago Resort and Casino is ahead of schedule.

The gaming floor is set to open in February.

The casino will feature 2,000 slot machines, 85 table games and six restaurants.

Two of them, the Farmer’s Market Buffet and Savor New York, will highlight locally grown foods.

There will also be an adjoining hotel with 205 rooms, a banquet facility and spa.

“The casino itself is approximately 67 percent complete. Right now, today, we have over 400 construction workers on site. The hotel, all six floors are up. They’re starting to put the studs and starting to frame out the outside of the building,” Jeff Babinski, Del Lago Vice President and General Manager

The resort will employ 1,800, including 480 dealers.

To view the video click the link below:

http://www.twcnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2016/08/23/casino-on-schedule-for-february-opening-seneca-county.html

The del Lago Resort & Casino Executive Vice President and General Manager, Jeff Babinski, along with Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Jerry Moran, talked with Josh Durso on Inside the FLX regarding the progress at the $440 million site, the process of hiring 1,800 employees, and more. Currently there are 12 employees with an opening date of February 2017.

To learn more, click here: http://fingerlakes1.com/2016/08/04/happening-now-live-progress-tour-at-del-lago-resort-casino-hosted-by-gm-jeff-babinski/

Perks from del Lago Resort & Casino’s New Players Club will Include
Wineries, Breweries and Other Businesses Throughout Finger Lakes Region

TYRE, N.Y. July 12, 2016 — The mission behind del Lago Resort & Casino from the start has been to act as a gateway to the Finger Lakes region — a tool in leveraging the natural beauty and unique offerings to enhance tourism across the board. This mission has been woven throughout the development of del Lago through ideas like Savor New York, which will act as a showcase of local wineries, breweries, spirits, cheesemakers and more.

That mission continues with del Lago’s unique Players Club rewards program. As a Players Club member, guests can earn valuable points that they can redeem throughout the del Lago resort, but also at businesses all over the Finger Lakes region. The list of partnering businesses is still being finalized and will be shared at a later date.

“This is another integral piece in helping grow the popularity of the Finger Lakes region,” said Jeff Babinski, executive vice president and general manager at del Lago. “Players Club members can earn points to receive free rooms, dinners, gifts and exclusive invitations to events, but we’ve taken it a step further. We’re going to partner with businesses across the region where Players Club members can use those same points for their goods and services. This will encourage our guests to explore the region and other amazing destinations the Finger Lakes has to offer.”

In addition to the innovative incentives, del Lago’s Players Club is making a splash by giving away a lake house for the summer of 2017. Anyone who becomes a member is automatically entered in the drawing, and there will be numerous ways for players to earn more entries prior to the drawing on April 8, 2017. Additional cash prizes of up to $5,000 will also be drawn. Again, the goal is to facilitate ways for people to enjoy the Finger Lakes region any way they’d like.

Membership to the del Lago Players Club is free. For more information, visit dellagoresort.com.

About del Lago Resort & Casino
The $440 million 205-room hotel, spa and casino will include a banquet facility, several restaurants, lounges, 2,500 person entertainment center and other world-class amenities. Del Lago Resort & Casino will feature Savor New York, a unique retail outlet where local vendors will bring the Finger Lakes region directly to del Lago patrons with a wide variety of local fruits, cheeses, baked goods, wines and beers, and other area specialties. The casino will feature 2,000 slot machines and 85 gaming tables, including 10 poker tables. Del Lago will create 1,800 construction jobs and 1,800 permanent jobs, and will generate more than $90 million annually for New York state and local governments. The resort and casino was awarded a New York State casino license in December 2015 and will open to the public in the first half of 2017. For more information, visit www.delLagoResort.com.

5/11/2016

By Teri Weaver | [email protected] NewYorkUpstate.com on May 11, 2016 at 9:00 AM, updated May 11, 2016 at 9:03 AM

TYRE, N.Y. — A new casino in the Finger Lakes, del Lago Resort & Casino, is under construction just off the New York State Thruway. Here’s an update on construction, jobs and the venue, which is schedule to open in early 2017.

Construction is humming along
About 200 construction workers are on site most days, according to Jeff Babinski, executive vice president and general manager at del Lago. The casino, restaurants and entertainment section will open in early 2017. The hotel and spa will open in later 2017.

More details here: http://www.newyorkupstate.com/finger-lakes/2016/05/del_lago_photos_update_on_construction_of_finger_lakes_casino.html

5/5/2016

TYRE, N.Y. May 5, 2016 – The pace of construction and the number of skilled union workers at del Lago Resort & Casino continues to grow as construction on the hotel and spa reaches the above ground stage. Concrete has been poured for the foundations of the hotel and spa, marking yet another milestone for del Lago Resort & Casino. The casino is set to open in February 2017, while the 205-room hotel and 10,000-square-foot spa will open in July 2017.

Since the casino topping-out ceremony last month – in addition to the completion of the hotel and spa foundations – more than 200 skilled New York tradesmen have finished installing a weather-tight roof and have been actively working on the interior framing of the casino structure and 40,000-square-foot entertainment venue. It is estimated that there will be approximately 700 union workers onsite during the casino construction’s peak.

“We are thrilled at the pace of construction for both the casino and hotel and spa, keeping the project on or ahead of schedule,” said Jeff Babinski, del Lago Resort & Casino executive vice president and general manager. “We are incredibly proud of the exceptional upstate union tradespeople working hard to bring New York’s best resort and casino to the Finger Lakes region.”

“On an average day, there are 200 trades people working on the construction of del Lago Resort & Casino, just one-third of the workers who will be on site in the near future. These hardworking men and women are bringing in a half million dollars in wages and benefits weekly, which is incredible for our local economy,” said Michael Davis, president of the Finger Lakes Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, which represents 19 local unions with more than 6,000 members.

The del Lago Resort & Casino hotel will feature a 3,000-square-foot banquet facility suitable for conventions, conference and receptions. The luxury spa will feature 17 treatment rooms, a salon and retail outlet.

About del Lago Resort & Casino
The $440 million 205-room hotel, spa and casino will include a banquet facility, several restaurants, lounges, 2,500 person entertainment center and other world-class amenities. Del Lago Resort & Casino will feature Savor New York, a unique retail outlet where local vendors will bring the Finger Lakes region directly to del Lago patrons with a wide variety of local fruits, cheeses, baked goods, wines and beers, and other area specialties. The casino will feature 2,000 slot machines and 85 gaming tables, including 10 poker tables. Del Lago will create 1,800 construction jobs and 1,800 permanent jobs, and will generate more than $90 million annually for New York state and local governments. The resort and casino was awarded a New York State casino license in December 2015 and will open to the public in February 2017. For more information, visit www.delLagoResort.com.