FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Kempe
Regan Communications
(401) 640-0440
akempe@regancomm.com

Newport Grand Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Gaming Space

Newport, RI – August 23, 2007 –Newport Grand, joined by elected officials and business and community leaders, celebrated the official groundbreaking of the new gaming space today. The $20 million investment will transform the former jai alai fronton space into two floors, housing an additional 835 new slot machines, enhanced security operations, and back of house functions. Two additional floors will be constructed for future expansion.

When completed in the Summer 2008, Newport Grand will offer more than 2,100 slot machines and simulcast wagering to the country’s best tracks. In addition to the construction taking place in the fronton space, Newport Grand is making vast improvements to the current facility, including new retail and food outlets, upgrading and relocating the simulcast area, major improvements to the life safety systems, including sprinklers, alarm systems, and improvements to the HVAC system, a new lobby and improved handicap accessibility.

Commenting on the new construction, Newport Grand CEO Diane Hurley reminisced on the history of the space, “In Summer 1975, my father started construction, and on June 10th, 1976, the first game of Jai Alai was played. Although opening night was not as crowded as we had hoped, Jai Alai was soon embraced by Newport and Rhode Island. It lasted, with many ups and downs, until 2003. We hosted celebrities and socialites, world class jai alai, and we still hold the Guinness World Record for the fastest ball ever recorded, at 188 miles per hour thrown by Jose Ramon Areitio, making jai alai the fast sport in the world. Today, we are here to celebrate the next chapter of this grand space.”

The new space was designed by DiLeonardo International of Warwick, who is considered one of the world’s most renowned hospitality designers responsible for such acclaimed projects as Hotel Providence, the Ritz Carlton in Egypt and the Intercontinental in Dubai, among others. Construction manager is Walsh Brothers.

About Newport Grand

Newport Grand offers consumers more than 1,000 of the latest video slot machines to play, offering the highest payouts in New England, as well as simulcast wagering from the nation’s leading thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racetracks. Newport Grand, a Rhode Island owned and operated business since 1976, employs 200 people. For more information on the company, please visit www.newportgrand.com.

For media inquiries, please contact Amy Kempe, Regan Communications, at 401-640-0440 or akempe@regancomm.com.

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