Work begins on Meadows outdoor venue
Construction has begun on a new 18,000-square-foot outdoor entertainment venue at The Meadows Casino.
A new outdoor entertainment venue at The Meadows Casino will be completed in the spring.
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, from Sean Sullivan’s perspective, should be more than a gambling venue. “Entertainment destination” is the vice president/general manager’s preferred term and objective.
That accent on entertainment is, again, being accentuated.
Construction has begun on an outdoor entertainment space at the North Strabane Township facility. The 18,000-square-foot area has been used for boxing, mixed martial arts and other events, but the new work will expand the time frame it can be used – from March through October.
“This is above and beyond what we’ve been doing,” spokesman Tom Meinert said, adding that “we hope to be open in March.”
The site is adjacent to the casino and north parking garage and will be a tent-like structure with heat and air conditioning, Workers are now installing asphalt and new drainage.
Sullivan said in a statement that the project is a response “to feedback from our customers who desire high-energy options of entertainment beyond our casino, racetrack, bowling, dining and other amenities.”
Some events already are under contract for 2016, including the return of three pro boxing cards, three King of Cage matches, the Washington County Auto Show and the state Firemen’s Association convention.
Seating capacity will vary according to the type of event. Meinert said the venue will accommodate up to 1,500 for kickboxing or martial arts, and about 600 for a dinner event.
The Meadows’ outdoor concert series, he added, will continue to be on the racetrack and apron, where about 3,500 can be seated. No concert has been scheduled yet.
This new project follows the 2014 opening of the renovated Headliners and Vibe, lounges inside the casino with free live entertainment on weekends.