Mohegan Sun At Pocono Downs

Project Sunrise, a $208 million Phase II gaming and entertainment complex, opened to the public on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs President, Robert J. Soper noted that, “Project Sunrise has been designed to celebrate the people, history and natural resources of Northeastern Pennsylvania.” The opening date is two weeks ahead of schedule, with much of that credit due to the outstanding performance of the construction teams. The new facility, unrivaled in gaming, services and amenities in Northeastern Pennsylvania, will feature 2,500 slot machines and electronic virtual table games. Pocono Downs, Pennsylvania’s first casino, will also be the first property in Pennsylvania to attract a great array of nationally-recognized restaurants, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Rustic Kitchen Bistro and Bar, and Bar Louie, a hit restaurant with a stage area for live entertainment. Pearl Sushi Bar offers a contemporary design and intimate setting. Timbers Buffet offers an almost unlimited presentation of diverse food options for lunch and dinner. Other eateries include Puck Express by Wolfgang Puck, Johnny Rockets, Ben and Jerry’s, Hot Dog Hall of Fame and a Betty & Joe’s coffee house. Bar offerings are headlined by the Sunburst Bar, located in the center of the casino and offers the latest in video poker machines at the bar area along with table seating. Breakers bar will have live bands playing current hit music, stunning bartenders who serve drinks and periodically get up on the bar to dance and large screen televisions for sporting events. The new facility will also include 7,000 square feet of retail space comprising several renowned shops such as Brookstone, Reflections Jewelry, Marshall Rousso women’s couture and men’s fine apparel boutique Misura, along with Crossing Vineyards Wine & Cheese Shop.

Native Sons Ltd. was the principal electrical contractor for the project which was performed in a design-assist manner due to the short, 13 month construction schedule. The 550,000 sq ft facility is powered by 2 – 12kv feeders distributed through 6 double-ended substations with 5000kw of paralleled on-site emergency power generation. Under emergency conditions, the entire building can be operated on generator power. Key Banking, POS, IT and Security systems are protected by 400kva of UPS systems. All low voltage systems (security, surveillance, data, telephone, POS, slot monitoring, fire alarm, audio visual, sound and cctv) were a substantial part of the scope of this work. The majority of the 3000+ lighting fixtures were controlled by either zoned dimming systems or special effect lighting controls. All site lighting, power and tele/data distribution performed at the same time, with permanent power being available in the building within the first 6 months of construction. Extreme coordination and care was needed due to the high level of interior finishes and the profusion of custom lighting and decorative millwork. At its peak, the project employed over 100 electrical tradesmen.

The owner is The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Uncasville, CT, Robert Gervasini, Project Manager, . The General Contractor was Keating Building Co, Philadelphia, PA, Jim Rockar, Project Executive.   Michael T. Oles, General Manger of Native Sons Ltd was the Electrical Project Executive. Native Sons Ltd regularly performs work for the Mohegan Tribe at its many facilities on the Connecticut reservation.