CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Officials for Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center will break ground next week on a 150-room hotel complex.

Architects Silling Associates of Charleston have been hired to design the hotel and local contractor Agsten Construction Company has been hired to build the facility, said racetrack spokeswoman Kim Lawrence.

Lawrence said the four-story hotel will be built on the eastern side of the racetrack property in Nitro. Plans call for a New Orleans style façade with fourth-floor concierge service. The hotel is expected to feature 24-hour room service, a pool and jacuzzi.

When Kanawha County voters were asked to approve casino-style table gaming at Tri-State Racetrack in 2007, track owners promised a hotel, conference center and entertainment hall. An on-site hotel was one of the requirements set up by the Legislature for allowing table games at the track.

County voters approved table gaming at the track in August 2007. Racetrack owners Hartman & Tyner Inc. have until August 2010 to complete the hotel and have it in operation or face a $2.5 million annual penalty.

Construction of the hotel has been delayed by a national economic downturn that has hit the casino industry particularly hard. Hartman & Tyner vice president Dan Adkins vowed the hotel would be built even if the company had to finance construction themselves. Adkins also said he would make good on a promise to hire local, union labor to build the facility.

Next week's groundbreaking should give contractors just enough time to finish the hotel before the August 2010 deadline, Lawrence said.

Racetrack officials will provide more details about the project at an official groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. June 24. Lawrence said shuttles will escort visitors from the casino to the construction site for the ceremony, and refreshments will be served afterward.

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Officials for Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center will break ground next week on a 150-room hotel complex.

Architects Silling Associates of Charleston have been hired to design the hotel and local contractor Agsten Construction Company has been hired to build the facility, said racetrack spokeswoman Kim Lawrence.

Lawrence said the four-story hotel will be built on the eastern side of the racetrack property in Nitro. Plans call for a New Orleans style façade with fourth-floor concierge service. The hotel is expected to feature 24-hour room service, a pool and jacuzzi.

When Kanawha County voters were asked to approve casino-style table gaming at Tri-State Racetrack in 2007, track owners promised a hotel, conference center and entertainment hall. An on-site hotel was one of the requirements set up by the Legislature for allowing table games at the track.

County voters approved table gaming at the track in August 2007. Racetrack owners Hartman & Tyner Inc. have until August 2010 to complete the hotel and have it in operation or face a $2.5 million annual penalty.

Construction of the hotel has been delayed by a national economic downturn that has hit the casino industry particularly hard. Hartman & Tyner vice president Dan Adkins vowed the hotel would be built even if the company had to finance construction themselves. Adkins also said he would make good on a promise to hire local, union labor to build the facility.

Next week's groundbreaking should give contractors just enough time to finish the hotel before the August 2010 deadline, Lawrence said.

Racetrack officials will provide more details about the project at an official groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. June 24. Lawrence said shuttles will escort visitors from the casino to the construction site for the ceremony, and refreshments will be served afterward.

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.