TN Ward Company: Dover Downs Casino Hotel

Winning big┬áDover Downs, Delaware has much to offer in entertainment. With the help of TN Ward Company, itÔÇÖs making its way towards the regionÔÇÖs top convention and entertainment destination. Jaclyn Beck reports. At first, there were horses. Then race cars zoomed into town. Now slot machines, singers, upscale retail and spas are making an appearance, enticing more customers through the doors of Dover Downs, Delaware. With competition developing in neighboring Pennsylvania and potential also in Maryland, Dover Downs has appointed industry leaders in design and construction and committed enough capital to give itself all the appropriate glitz and casino allure to keep pace.Now a full-fledged destination resort with nearly 3,200 of the newest video lottery machines and 500 guest rooms and suites, the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino (along with its general contractor TN Ward Company) has celebrated the grand opening of a new casino expansion known as The Colonnade. Based out of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and serving the greater Philadelphia region, TN Ward Company broke ground on the $56 million expansion in May 2007, with expectations of completing the project in fall 2008. Recognized as one of the nationÔÇÖs leading contracting and construction management firms, TN Ward Company is praised for working harmoniously with owners, architects, and subcontractors to bring each project to a rewarding conclusion.ÔÇ£A clientÔÇÖs new building or major renovation is a subject of utmost concern, perhaps the single most significant project an organization will undertake for a generation,ÔÇØ says the companyÔÇÖs founder, T. Newton Ward, Jr.A rewarding conclusion it has been for both owner and contractor since The Colonnade is speculated to be the most ÔÇ£publicÔÇØ new attraction in DoverÔÇÖs history and opened to the public two months ahead of schedule.ÔÇ£We are absolutely thrilled to open the doors to The Colonnade two months ahead of schedule,ÔÇØ says Ed Sutor, president and CEO of Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. ÔÇ£The Colonnade has generated a buzz not only among our customers but also around the community and with our employees as well.ÔÇØ The 68,000-square-foot expansion project includes a new grand casino entrance with large porte-cochere, four valet parking lanes and a fountain to match the hotelÔÇÖs entrance. A glass vestibule opens to a two-story, sky-lit atrium featuring hand-lain marble and granite floors. The atrium lobby extends to an orbital walkway with a gazebo at each corner, accentuated with bronze domes and distinctive European-designed chandeliers. Rotunda ceilings are highlighted with trompe lÔÇÖoeil skies by artist Michael Irvin, whose work is showcased in hotels and casinos in Japan, Canada, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.The casino expansion also includes an additional area for 500 slot machines, a flashy entertainment area and lounge known as the Fire and Ice Lounge, featuring a circular bar with special-effects lighting and a small stage with live entertainment, and additional dining and retail outlets. New dining venues are being added as well as retail shops, and itÔÇÖs no surprise that itÔÇÖs all designed to fit seamlessly together. Each restaurant and shop is situated near an entrance, meaning customers wonÔÇÖt have to wade through a sea of slots to get dinner or buy a scarf. The new casino space features more than 500 slot machines in some of the latest reel, video, multi-denominational and progressive game formats on the market in penny, nickel, quarter, $1 and $5 denominations. Modern, adjustable seats provide added comfort, and additional cashiers, ticket redemption kiosks, cash machines, a playerÔÇÖs card duplicator, free beverage stations, informational LCD screens, smoking areas and touch-free restrooms have been integrated throughout the new spaces. The Capital Club playerÔÇÖs club and the Security station were upgraded, repositioned and operational in mid May.ÔÇ£As far as a geometric project, itÔÇÖs the most complex project IÔÇÖve ever been involved in,ÔÇØ says Dan Moran, TN WardÔÇÖs supervisor on the project.ÔÇ£We feel confident that we are delivering a unique and compelling dining, entertainment and leisure experience,ÔÇØ says Sutor. ÔÇ£When you add the amenities of The Colonnade together with our 500-room Four Diamond hotel, luxurious Toppers Spa and Salon, great casino action, harness racing and headline entertainment, we feel that Dover Downs Hotel and Casino is strongly positioned as a premier Mid-Atlantic gaming and entertainment resort destination.ÔÇØ ÔÇô Editorial research by Joe Louis┬á