Resort Sale Jeopardizes Pittsburgh Casino

As reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The sale of Seven Springs Mountain Resort to a part-owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates will create a conflict of interest that could stack the odds against a proposed gambling casino there.

"If the odds prove insurmountable, the deal between two families could mean the loss of an anticipated 355 jobs and about $126 million in annual revenue for Fayette and Somerset counties.

"…[Robert Nutting, chairman of the board and majority owner of the Pirates,] announced Monday that after 74 years of ownership, the Dupre family will sell the 5,500-acre property near Champion to his family, which owns Ogden Newspapers and Ogden Publications, for an undisclosed amount.

"Scott Bender, Seven Springs president and chief operating officer, said the deal billed as a 'family-to-family transaction' is effective July 1, pending approval of a majority shareholder vote Monday.

"While he pledged to continue the Dupre family's commitment to the resort's growth and success, Nutting acknowledged that his ties to the baseball franchise could affect the resort's pending gambling license application.

"…Nutting added that Bender will meet with the state's Gaming Control Board today to discuss amendment of the slots license application to reflect the new ownership and to gain some clarification as to how they should proceed…"

2006-06-20