SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The grandstands at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack have stood empty since the start of COVID-19. Starting April 22, they will be open up to 20% of their capacity. That’s good news for local racing and betting fans, but it’s just as exciting to the town of Farmington, which the racetrack calls home.
The biggest impacts of the track, according to Farmington town supervisor Peter Ingalsbe, are the number of jobs it creates, as well as the revenue it generates.
“They’re, I believe, the third largest employer in the county, so during the racing season, obviously the number of employees goes up,” Ingalsbe said.
He estimated that between 80 and 100 of Finger Lakes’ employees are Farmington residents, who found themselves out of work when the pandemic hit and the track closed.
In addition, the track helps draw people into the adjacent casino, where video lottery terminals act as an important moneymaker.
“There’s proceeds from there that go into the State Education Fund, and Ontario County gets an allotment, as well as the town of Farmington,” Ingalsbe says.
Since Farmington doesn’t make any money from off-track betting, it’s crucial to draw traffic to the video lotteries. Ontario County receives around $400,000-500,000 from the machines, Ingalsbe estimated. The portion of profits that find their way to Farmington play an important role in the town’s budget.
“We use that money here in Farmington for our capital projects; roads and buildings and things like that that the town needs,” Ingalsbe says.
Local restaurants were also hurt by the track’s closing. After all, Finger Lakes draws in millions of visitors every year according to Ingalsbe, who visit local eateries as well as the track and casino.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo will also allow car racing tracks to reopen, bringing even more racing business back to New York towns.
