Turning Stone $370M Expansion Focused on Attracting Major Conventions

Posted on: July 24, 2023, 02:33h. 

Last updated on: July 24, 2023, 12:58h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

In September, Turning Stone announced a major expansion of the tribal casino and resort owned and operated by the Oneida Nation in Upstate New York. Details of the project, the largest expansion of the resort since it opened as a bingo hall in July 1993, are now coming to light.

Turning Stone Oneida Nation Upstate New York
An artist’s rendering of the Turning Stone expansion, which includes a new hotel and additional convention space. The tribal casino is owned and operated by the Oneida Nation in Upstate New York. (Image: Oneida Nation Enterprises)

Billed as “The Next 30” in a nod to the property’s history, officials with Oneida Nation Enterprises, the tribe’s economic arm, say the expansion phase will be a roughly $370 million investment.

The blueprint includes doubling the resort’s convention and events facilities with a 77,000-square-foot addition. That’s highlighted by a 30,000-square-foot ballroom overlooking the Shenendoah Golf Course and The Lodge’s Great Lawn. A new 2,000-space indoor parking garage will be erected, with easy access to the new conference facilities.

Once completed, expected sometime in 2025, Turning Stone says it will be Upstate New York’s largest convention center and one of the three largest in all of New York.

“Along with its existing facilities and partnerships, the new conference center will expand the resort’s and the region’s marketing reach throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and New England, and to new industries, while attracting larger and more prestigious organizations and events,” a statement from Oneida Nation Enterprises explained.

Convention Focus

Oneida Nation Enterprises plans to rebrand to Turning Stone Enterprises effective October 1. Ray Halbritter, CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises, says the rebranding complements the expansion project.

Along with Turning Stone, Oneida Nation Enterprises owns and operates the Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango and Point Place Casino in Bridgeport. The tribe also runs The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, a dining and entertainment complex that features a boutique casino with about 100 slot machines.

Back at Turning Stone, the expansion is designed to allow the property to cater to larger events. Along with refreshing the hotel’s 825 guest rooms, the $370 million project includes constructing a new hotel tower with 258 additional rooms and suites.

To accommodate an increase in conference and event guests, the evolution will also include construction of The Crescent. The new Four-Diamond hotel will greet guests with stunning architecture for a memorable impression,” the tribe’s release added.

Turning Stone’s current hotel, simply called The Hotel, will become The Brook once the expansion phase is finished.

The Turning Stone project is expected to create 3,600 construction jobs and generate an economic impact north of $600 million. State and local taxes from the initiative are forecast to come in at around $22 million.

Other Expansion Elements

While the new conference expansion and hotel, as well as updating of the property’s current guest rooms, highlight the $370 million investment, Turning Stone is also enhancing other areas. Come December, The Lounge with Caesars Sportsbook, as well as the resort’s Exit 33 NY Rec & Social Club, will move to what was formerly the Lava Nightclub.

Turning Stone is also planning a 5,000-square-foot on-site medical center for the resort’s 4,500 employees. The casino’s championship golf courses are also getting a practice area designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.