On a hot Tuesday afternoon Winners Bayonne the first off-track wagering facility  built and operated by Jeff Gural’s  New Meadowlands  Racetrack LLC opened to  a very enthusiastic  and jubilant crowd including Former NJ Governor Richard Cody, Mayor Smith of Bayonne, The Bayonne City Council, Senator Sandra Cunningham, Assemblyman, Jason O’Donnell and other dignitaries. Driver Brian Sears,  famous  Jockey Chuckie Lopez and – 2000 winner  Gallo Blue Chip, the biggest earning horse in standardbred racing history winning 4.2 million.Winners Bayonne branded as a sports  bar with action , the 25,000 square-foot venue boasts two large simulcast areas, a VIP room and a 38-seat bar and full-service restaurant operated by McLoone’s with more than 150 television screens, he facility aims to please horse players  and sports fans alike.

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith when asked by the River View Observer  “What this project means to  Bayonne,”  said, “The off-track wagering facility is a positive development for Bayonne. That is why our administration has been so supportive of this project from the beginning. The construction phase created jobs and generated local economic activity. The New facility will offer an attractive wagering operation and restaurant to the community. The off-track  wagering will provide much-needed employment for our residents.”

Built on a vacant lot on Route 440 in Bayonne. The Venue is an $18 million new construction that brings 100 jobs and an estimated $200,000 in property taxes to the city of Bayonne.  The location was originally selected by  the New Jersey  Sports and Exposition Authority  because of robust lottery sales, a large player database of hors players in the Staten Island market (Winners Bayonne is minutes from the Bayonne Bridge) and strong community support.

Also at the grand opening was restaurateur Tim McLoone owner of McLoone’s Bayonne Grille located in Winners Bayonne.  Tim McLoone also operates McLoone’s Rum Runner in Sea Bright his first restaurant and the brand operates eight locations with the addition of Bayonne. Other McLoone’s properties are McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch and National Harbor, Maryland, McLoone’s  Asbury Grille, Tim McLoone’s Supper Club and McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange.

SOSH Architects of Atlantic City , NJ designed Winners Bayonne. The firm’s myriad credits in the entertainment sector include Harrah’s Chester Casino  & Racetrack in PA and Tropicana – The Quarter in Atlantic City.

Wagering information, menus are available online at WinnersBayonne.com

The post EAT-DRINK -BET WINNERS BAYONNE OPENS TO A JUBILANT CROWD first appeared on River View Observer.