Hotel Online
News for the Hospitality Executive

Goulston & Storrs Winegardner & Hammons
advertisements


 
Delaware North Companies and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway
Win Bid to Operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa
in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.


BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 3, 2007) - Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has been selected by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 

Upon learning of the opportunity to operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, Delaware North formed an operating company called Gideon Putnam, LLC. The 50-50 business venture marries Delaware North�s proficiency with and passion for historic and unique destinations with Saratoga Gaming and Raceway�s 50-plus-year tradition of providing hospitality and entertainment to guests of New York�s Capital Region. Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, and Dan Gerrity, president of Saratoga Harness Racing, will serve as principals of the new operating company. 

�We thought it was important to have a local partner on our team,� said Kelly. �Dan and his family have long demonstrated their commitment to the community by offering quality entertainment and hospitality in the region.�

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway draws more than 2 million guests each year. Delaware North believes a closer working relationship with Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa would serve to create a destination resort in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 
�In developing this business relationship, we see tremendous synergies between our two companies, both of which are based in Upstate New York and have remained family-owned and operated since their founding. We believe that this partnership will take Gideon Putnam to the next level in terms of guest services and occupancy,� Kelly added.  

According to Brad Anderholm, vice president of lodging for Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, the decision to pursue the bid for the Gideon Putnam contract was a thoughtful one for him and his management team. In the end, there was much that signaled a good fit for Delaware North and the historic property.

�At least three factors influenced our decision to pursue the opportunity outlined in the state�s RFP for Gideon Putnam,� he said. �The first, the satisfaction we�ve gained from our more-than-10-year public-private partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through our operation in Niagara Falls State Park, and Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks; the second, our affinity for and expertise with stewardship of unique and special properties in North America, several of which are on the National Historic Registry; and the third, the possibility of a synergy between the storied facility and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, where our sister subsidiary -- Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment - handles the video gaming and food service functions.�

Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts views the preservation and presentation of history and culture as part of its stewardship of the locations in which it is privileged to live and work. This includes a nationally recognized, award-winning system of environmental management called GreenPath®, the restoration and maintenance of historic structures, and imparting each property�s story to guests through innovative interpretive programs and activities. 

�We were delighted with news of being selected. We�re ready to bring all of the appropriate resources and experts to the assignment,� Anderholm said. �That includes our customary practice of working with local partners and other divisions of our parent company to safeguard and nurture the property we�ve been entrusted with.�

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company�s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Robert Moses State Park;  Old Town San Diego; The Lodge & Conference Center at Geneva-on-the-Lake; The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel; and St. Mary Lodge & Resort. To learn more about Delaware North Companies� expertise in the hospitality industry, visit www.dnchospitalitymgt.com.

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world�s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and TD Banknorth Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues approaching $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.  

About Saratoga Gaming and Raceway
Saratoga Raceway was opened by the Gerrity family in 1941 as only the third racetrack ever to have pari-mutuel wagering. Set in the Capital Region of the state of New York, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway (as it is called today) has what is considered by many to be the most beautiful half-mile track in the United States. As well, it offers state-of-the-art video gaming machines, two full-service restaurants with buffets, Vapor night club, three full-service bars a food court and deli, a gift shop and a variety of guest services, including valet parking and coat check. Video gaming and food and beverage operations at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway are managed by Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality and entertainment management group headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y. Must be 18 years of age or older to play Video Gaming Machines. Please play responsibly. For directions to the facility or further information, please visit our Web site at www.saratogagamingandraceway.com.

.
Contact:

Delaware North Companies
www.dnchospitalitymgt.com

 

.
.
Also See: Shawn Goodway Appointed General Manager of the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / July 2005
The Gideon Putnam Hotel & Conference Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. In Year Two of Enhancement Program. / Feb 2002
.
.


 


To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.OnlineSearch
Home | Welcome| Hospitality News | Classifieds| One-on-One |
Viewpoint Forum | Industry Resources | Press Releases
Please contact Hotel.Onlinewith your comments and suggestions.