VERONA, NY - After 23 years, Turning Stone Resort Casino's gambling floor will soon be smoke-free.
Smokers will be limited to their own mini-casino, called Casino Blu, to be constructed on the gaming floor.
The move is part of a $20 million upgrade of the casino and hotel resort that Oneida Indian Nation officials will announce today.
The smokers' refuge -- Casino Blu, to be enclosed by glass but with open entrance points -- will take up about a quarter of the existing 125,000-square-foot gaming floor. A state-of-the-art air filtration system will be installed to improve air quality, said Joel Barkin, speaking for the Oneida Nation.
The gaming floor will be smokeless starting Nov. 16, Barkin said, at the same time "Casino Blu" opens. Blu will have its own bar and the same gambling options as the main floor, officials said.
Both smokers and non-smokers have asked for new smoking policy, officials said.
"The foundation of our success has always been built around being responsive to our guests,'' said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation representative and Nation Enterprises chief executive officer, in a statement. "We heard from both our smoking and non-smoking guests that they wanted better air filtration and better air quality on the gaming floor, and this new gaming floor is a direct response to that feedback to accommodate all of our guests."
None of the new casinos or racinos being built in New York allows smoking, Oneida Nation officials said. Lago Resort & Casino, being built in Tyre in Seneca County, will be smoke-free. Turning Stone is 35 miles east of Syracuse.
Turning Stone is spending $20 million on a variety of upgrades, including:
Redesigning and upgrading the gaming floor with new carpeting, chairs, furnishings and a new ceiling. The work will take place in stages and will be completed in early 2017.
Installing a modern ventilation system in Casino Blu to improve air quality.
Spending $8 million to renovate all 285 rooms in the 19-floor Tower Hotel at the casino. Work has already begun on this project, which will incorporate hardwood floors, Stickley furniture, Native American artwork and photographs which will feature New York state landscapes. The renovations are scheduled to be finished in 2018.
Opening a new Food Hall in the casino with six new fast-casual restaurants. About 80 new full and part-time workers will be hired to staff these, Barkin said. This will open in late December..
Casino executives have long said smoking and gambling go hand in hand, and have been reluctant to limit or ban smoking. Nevada and Pennsylvania still allow smoking on the casino floor, while it's prohibited in 20 other states.
The American Lung Association advocated for smoke-free gambling floors - both for customers and employees.
The new restaurants in the Food Hall will be Bad Burro Taco Shop, Bun Heaven offering burgers; Hong Kong Kitchen with Asian entrees, Sam's Delicatessen, The Funky Chicken and Wicked Good Pizza, also at the Oneida Nation's Yellow Brick Road casino.
Turning Stone will hold a job fair for the food service jobs Nov. 14.
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