The entrance to the Meadows temporary casino takes shape

A new playground is set to open in Washington County later this spring.

Here, people will not only enjoy an opportunity to eat at an elaborate restaurant and browse the gifts they can buy at the onsite shop, but they will also be able to walk away with a pile of winnings from playing the slot machines.

The Meadows Racetrack and casino operator, Millennium Gaming, is set to open the 82,000-square feet temporary casino this May, which will include 1,800 slot machines. On March 28, a ceremony was held to celebrate the construction of the temporary structure of the Meadows Casino, which is calculated to cost $450 million. The 250,000-square feet permanent casino structure is set to open in 2009.

The plan is for patrons entering the temporary casino to be immediately exposed to banks of shiny new slot machines. If they feel puckish, they can move to the 300-seat restaurant called “Silks,” where patrons can view race events on plasma television screens and hear live music, or simply enjoy a cocktail in the lounge, or a snack in a snug cafeteria. For the dedicated race-enthusiastic, a small entertainment area called “Adios” is available.

Construction on the permanent casino is scheduled to begin in September, with plans calling for 3,000 slot machines to be installed inside the structure, as well as a two-story movie theater with tiered seating and a balcony, a premier steakhouse, a 700-seat buffet-style restaurant (complete with views of the gaming floor and racetrack), and a sky-lit viewing gallery overlooking the racing paddock. In addition, a stage area has been set aside for entertainment.