Developer Preston Schell has commented on the proposed Del Pointe racetrack project, which in mid-August received conditional approval from the Delaware Harness Racing Commission to host live racing.
Schell told capegazette.com that the project will be unique to Sussex County, not a cookie-cutter type of development.
Schell and his business partner Gene Lankford are hoping to host live racing in 2011 at their proposed one-mile track featuring a 2,5000-seat grandstand and 750-seat clubhouse. The cost of the proposed complex is $60 million.
"We're thinking about doing what we call a cottage or cabin-style hotel. We're trying to incorporate some of the things that we like about Sussex County at the facility so that it feels like Sussex County and not like some other track in some other area," Schell told capegazette.com.
In the article, Schell explains that an economic impact and financial feasibility study is taking place to determine whether Del Pointe would be profitable without adding slot machines to the racetrack.
"The answer is we don't know," Schell said. "We presume that slots might be necessary to make the track financially feasible, however, until we're able to get a professional marketing study, we're not going to pursue slots."
To read the capegazette.com article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from capegazette.com)