Delaware North and Saratoga Gaming Win Bid to Operate Resort

Will Operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Springs

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. October 14, 2008

BUFFALO, NY, July 3, 2007. Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has been selected by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Upon learning of the opportunity to operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, Delaware North formed an operating company called Gideon Putnam, LLC. The 50-50 business venture marries Delaware North's proficiency with and passion for historic and unique destinations with Saratoga Gaming and Raceway's 50-plus-year tradition of providing hospitality and entertainment to guests of New York's Capital Region. Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, and Dan Gerrity, president of Saratoga Harness Racing, will serve as principals of the new operating company.

"We thought it was important to have a local partner on our team," said Kelly. "Dan and his family have long demonstrated their commitment to the community by offering quality entertainment and hospitality in the region."

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway draws more than 2 million guests each year. Delaware North believes a closer working relationship with Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa would serve to create a destination resort in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

"In developing this business relationship, we see tremendous synergies between our two companies, both of which are based in Upstate New York and have remained family-owned and operated since their founding. We believe that this partnership will take Gideon Putnam to the next level in terms of guest services and occupancy," Kelly added.

According to Brad Anderholm, vice president of lodging for Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, the decision to pursue the bid for the Gideon Putnam contract was a thoughtful one for him and his management team. In the end, there was much that signaled a good fit for Delaware North and the historic property.

"At least three factors influenced our decision to pursue the opportunity outlined in the state's RFP for Gideon Putnam," he said. "The first, the satisfaction we've gained from our more-than-10-year public-private partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through our operation in Niagara Falls State Park, and Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks; the second, our affinity for and expertise with stewardship of unique and special properties in North America, several of which are on the National Historic Registry; and the third, the possibility of a synergy between the storied facility and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, where our sister subsidiary -- Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment - handles the video gaming and food service functions."

Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts views the preservation and presentation of history and culture as part of its stewardship of the locations in which it is privileged to live and work. This includes a nationally recognized, award-winning system of environmental management called GreenPath(R), the restoration and maintenance of historic structures, and imparting each property's story to guests through innovative interpretive programs and activities.

"We were delighted with news of being selected. We're ready to bring all of the appropriate resources and experts to the assignment," Anderholm said. "That includes our customary practice of working with local partners and other divisions of our parent company to safeguard and nurture the property we've been entrusted with."