Plainridge Needs More Parking 

It would appear that some people believe in putting the cart before the horse when it comes to slot machines. Case in point would be Plainridge Race Course President Gary Piontkowski getting ready for the slot machines that haven’t even been approved yet. He thinks that it is necessary for him to build a bigger parking garage because of the slot machines that he is going to be bringing in. However, there is one small snafu – the slot machines have not been approved yet. 

Piontkowski says that he is hoping to break ground on his $26.5 million expansion to parking in the form of a multi level parking garage. He says that he is going to need the additional spaces for the slot machine patrons that will be coming in. He said that he is sure that he is going to get the slot machines because they are part of a $180 million development program. He is planning on breaking ground in the next few months. 

However, the legislation has been pretty clear that they are not looking to bring in slot machines to anything other than stand alone casinos. They have not come out and told Piontkowski that he is out of luck, but they have said that they are not in favor of slot machines at race courses. They said that they are not sure what the legislation is going to end up looking like, but that it does not look good for the track. 

Piontkowski says that no matter what happens he still needs the spaces for the track, so if he doesn’t get the slot machines he will still be in a better place than he is now. However, those slot machines sure would help not only justify the additional spaces, but would also easily pay for the project as well.