Hochul: “… I am in God’s country”
(photo: Anthony Lucarelli)
KIAMESHA LAKE – “I feel like I am in God’s country,”
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed during the formal ribbon cutting
ceremony marking the opening of Resorts World Catskills in Kiamesha Lake.
“The days of New York State losing money to casinos in other states is over,” Hochul said. “This is the rebirth of the Catskills. You heard it here first.”
“We don’t have to wait for results; we have them,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a recorded video message.
Hochul said the casino is but one component of the new economic development in Sullivan County, which will include the indoor waterpark, which is under construction. She also noted the casino is up the road from Bethel Woods Center for Performing Arts on the site of the Woodstock Music Festival, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019.
For Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D, Forestburgh), the push for a casino began years ago when her late husband, Jake, was the assemblyman for the district.
“This is a bittersweet day for me and I know there is an angel on my shoulder today,” Gunther said.
“I have such joy in my heart,” State Senator John Bonacic (R, Mount Hope) told the ribbon cutting ceremony. “Let the celebration begin.”
People traveled from all corners of the Catskills, Hudson Valley and the New York metropolitan area to partake in the first day of casino gaming. Others traveled from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
High tech slots
table games
(photos: Anthony Lucarelli)
