Welcome Hyatt

Navegante Welcomes Falls Management Co.

Date
Sept. 14, 1998

Casino Niagara’s temporary operator Navegante today congratulated Falls Management Company on finalizing their contract with the Ontario Casino Corporation to become the permanent operator of Canada’s premier casino.

Led by Hyatt Development Corporation, FMC was selected to both operate the interim casino and build the permanent casino complex and associated tourist attractions that comprise the Niagara Falls Casino/Gateway Project.

Navegante Chairman Larry Woolf and President Dean Macomber today expressed high regard for the
associates of Casino Niagara as well as those who helped deal Niagara such a winning hand.

Navegante, a leading Las Vegas management company was selected as the interim operator of Casino Niagara in July 1996. Navegante’s pre-opening team combined of experienced gaming experts and local Ontarians from other industries worked tirelessly to open Canada’s largest casino by December 9, 1996.

During its first year of operation, Niagara’s second wonder attracted close to 10 million visitors. Gross revenues for the same period totaled more than $500 million – making Casino Niagara Ontario’s most profitable casino.

Woolf took the opportunity to applaud the dedicated team at Casino Niagara, describing how hard the associates worked to accomplish the challenge of opening in record time and then operating the facility to record success. One of the region’s largest employer, the casino currently employs about 3,600 people.

"I am extremely honored to have worked with one of the finest management and associate teams I’ve known," Woolf said.

The success of Canada’s premier commercial tourist attraction, insisted Macomber, was possible with the assistance of Niagara Falls Mayor Wayne Thomson, council, his staff and the Niagara Region Chair and staff.

"It’s also been a tremendous experience working in partnership, with (Niagara Falls MPP) Bart Maves, and the staff at both the Ontario Casino Corporation and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario."

Macomber added that Hyatt and FMC are about to become members of a unique community committed to making Niagara a world-class, year-round tourist destination. He was certain the successful partnerships with the tourism and hospitality industry, such as the Niagara Parks Commission, the Niagara Falls Canada Visitor & Convention Bureau, the Niagara Chambers of Commerce and municipal economic development agencies, would continue.

Casino Niagara has become more than an economic catalyst. It has proven itself an exemplary community citizen by improving the quality of life for its community, specifically through its Charitable and Community Sponsorship program. These efforts have been recognized in the community, as seen by the presentation of significant community partnership awards.