Completion of the Caesars Virginia casino project at the former Dan River Inc. site in Schoolfield will be delayed, a spokesperson for Caesars Entertainment told Danville City Council during its meeting Tuesday night.
Officials initially announced construction would be complete in the second or third quarter of 2023, with the casino opening in the third or fourth quarter. But the completion date has been pushed back to 2024, said Caesars Entertainment spokesperson Robert Livingston.
“We have seen supply chain issues and other market forces that continue to wreak havoc,” Livingston said, adding that labor shortages throughout the construction industry are slowing down building everywhere.
However, “none of this has altered our commitment to Danville,” he said.
Also, hundreds of years of concrete is being dug up at the Schoolfield site. “There’s a lot of concrete on that site,” he said.
A December 2023 opening for the casino is an unrealistic goal, Livingston said.
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“We remain confident this project will open in 2024,”Livingston said. “No one is more committed than Caesars to get this off the ground.”
Livingston pointed out that $5 million in annual subsidy payments to the city from Caesars will begin in September 2023, as called for in the development agreement with the city. Those payments will be made quarterly, he said.
PHOTOS: Caesars unveils renderings of Danville casino
Caesars Virginia revealed the architectural design for Danville’s upcoming casino. It will feature “Three Sisters” smokestacks, a nod to the textile roots of the city.
Caesars Virginia revealed plans to include a $500 million destination resort casino, which is $100 million more than initially anticipated in the development agreement, and 500 rooms inspired by local scenery, which is 200 more rooms than initially anticipated in the agreement. There will also be a spa, pool area and fitness center.
The casino will feature more than 1,400 slot machines and table games, Caesars Sportsbook and WSOP Poker Room, a live poker room named for and carrying the spirit of the legendary World Series of Poker with 25 tables.
