Harrah’s Pompano Beach Expansion Project Raises Owl Population Concerns

Posted on: June 24, 2022, 07:11h. 

Last updated on: June 24, 2022, 10:21h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Isle Casino Pompano’s multimillion-dollar expansion project and rebranding to Harrah’s Pompano Beach could threaten the South Florida property’s burrowing owl population, former racetrack workers contend.

Harrah's Pompano Beach Isle Casino Caesars Florida
Caesars Entertainment officials hold a ceremonial groundbreaking in February on Harrah’s Pompano Beach. Some locals are concerned that the expansion project and rebranding of Isle Casino Pompano Park will result in burrowing owls losing their natural habitat. (Image: Caesars Entertainment)

Caesars Entertainment acquired the Isle Casino some 35 miles north of Miami through its merger with Eldorado Resorts in 2018. After 58 years of live racing, Caesars shuttered harness racing at the storied track earlier this year.

The Las Vegas-based gaming giant plans to use the former horse racetrack and accompanying stables and training grounds to expand the Isle Casino and bring in new amenities. Plans include a four-level, 580,000-square-foot parking garage with 1,500 spaces, plus a 12,500-square-foot smoking terrace with gaming machines.

The interior of the current Isle Casino will undergo an extensive renovation and name change to the iconic Caesars brand.

Caesars has also partnered with Baltimore-based Cordish Companies to build a large mixed-use development on what was previously the horse racetrack. The blueprint includes a hotel, residential complex, Publix grocery store, office space, entertainment venues, public trails, restaurants, and retail shopping.

Locals Urge Wise Construction

Some workers who were laid off because of the Isle’s cessation of live harness racing have since expressed concerns that the new construction threatens the property’s native owl population. Speaking this week with Local 10 News, former track employee Nancy Schaut says many burrowing owls, which are considered a threatened species in Florida, call the roughly 220-acre casino property home.

This is [more than] 200 acres of land that is being taken away from the owls,” Schaut said. “What I’m worried about is they are going to be left homeless or hurt or killed. I am very concerned.”

The Cordish Companies, which is bringing its Live! brand of entertainment districts to the forthcoming Harrah’s Pompano Beach casino resort, has assured Schaut that it will take steps to try and preserve the burrows on the racetrack.

According to the National Audubon Society, the burrowing owl population has been declining for many years. The conservation society says a major reason is because of habitat loss.

Audubon officials explain that the burrowing owl prefers open grasslands, prairies, farmland, and other flat, open ground spaces with short grass or bare soil. Such owls typically feed on insects including grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, moths, and caterpillars.

Project Details

Once the Isle Casino Pompano Park is no more and replaced by Harrah’s Pompano Beach, the destination will include more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space with 750 slot machines and electronic table terminals, plus 30 live dealer tables and simulcast wagering.

Live! Pompano, as the Cordish component will be called, will come with a new Tri-Rail commuter line station operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. The public transportation link will serve commuters to Harrah’s Pompano Beach from Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.

Construction on the major expansion and renovation began back in March. Caesars officials say they hope to have the parking garage, interior renovations, and gaming terrace completed by the end of the year. Cordish has not yet publicized a target opening date for Live! Pompano.