SALAMANCA, N.Y. – As leaders from the Seneca Nation of Indians, Seneca Gaming Corporation and the local construction trades looked on, construction workers set the final steel beam into place for the new hotel tower at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel this morning. The occasion marked an important milestone in the construction of the property’s latest expansion.

Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel announced plans in August to build a new hotel tower at the popular resort located in New York’s Southern Tier. Construction began at the end of 2011 and has progressed according to schedule. Officials expect the new tower to open in the winter.

“Excitement surrounding this project continues to grow and we are thrilled to complete this phase of the project’s construction,” said Cathy Walker, President and CEO, Seneca Gaming Corporation. “Our customers will be able to watch this project continue to take shape over the coming months as we prepare to offer them outstanding service and unmatched luxury in a new world-class hotel tower.”

When complete, the new hotel tower will add approximately 200 rooms at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel, effectively doubling the property’s current capacity. The existing 212-room hotel tower opened in 2007 and has regularly achieved occupancy rates greater than 95 percent, with many weekends being completely sold out. Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel recently received its fourth consecutive Four Diamond Award® from AAA in recognition of its outstanding service, amenities, and overall excellent guest experiences. More than 3 million people visit Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel each year, making it one of the leading tourist attractions in the area.

“On the inside and to our customers, Seneca properties represent a combination of excitement, luxury, comfort, entertainment and, above all, quality,” said Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter. “However, to the Seneca people, the outside world and to the construction workers who are here today, our properties represent economic growth, job creation and a path to a stronger future for the Seneca Nation and for Western New York. This project brings all of those perspectives together.”

Approximately 300 construction jobs and 30 hotel positions are expected to be created by the new hotel tower. The construction is being directed by Seneca Construction Management Corporation, a Seneca Nation-owned enterprise, and JCJ Architecture is designing the tower. Both firms have extensive experience in helping the Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation develop their casino properties.

Located in the foothills of the Allegany Mountains, Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel is minutes away from nearby Ellicottville, New York and a focal point for the area’s growing tourism economy. In addition to its current 212-room hotel tower, the resort offers patrons the complete gaming resort experience. Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel features 68,300 square feet of world-class gaming space with more than 2,000 slot machines and 30 table games, outstanding entertainment in the 2,300-seat Seneca Event Center, a full-service spa and salon, an indoor swimming pool, four exquisite dining destinations, 21,500 square feet of meeting and conference space, and multiple retail outlets.

Since opening Seneca Niagara Casino in 2002, Seneca Gaming Corporation has grown to employ more than 3,700 people, making it one of the largest private employers in Western New York. Seneca Gaming Corporation operates world-class facilities offering more than 6,500 slot machines, 140 table games, 800 hotel rooms, a championship golf course and other related amenities. For more information, visit www.senecacasinos.com.