Remodeling Plans and Big Changes are Under Way at Hollywood Park Casino

Extreme Makeover, one of Hollywood's newest reality TV shows, takes a pair of average Joes, or Joans, and transforms them into stunning beauties. The makeovers, like those of similar shows, are truly amazing, with plenty of before-and-after images to prove it.

Just down the street from Tinsel Town, a radically different kind of makeover show is now in progress in Inglewood. In this production, architects, designers, and carpenters have replaced doctors, nurses, and hair stylists. The star of this show is Hollywood Park Casino.

Nothing is sacred in Hollywood Park Casino's transformation. Plans include a bevy of remodeling projects and new additions to the facility. Also part of the transformation is a complete new dining concept and player food menu. The ultimate goal is to create a fresh new look for the casino and dramatically improve the gaming experience for guests.

Several small projects, such as an outdoor smokers patio and lighting of the porte cochere, have already been completed, while major remodeling projects are currently in the design phase. The most notable projects include a face-lift of the California games section's high-limit Golden Horse Room and the poker section's high-limit Pegasus Room. The front lobby is also targeted to be remodeled.

For the Pegasus Room, new carpeting is on order, with a completion date set for late December. The carpet was handpicked by Phyllis Caro, director of poker operations, and features a navy blue background with beautiful gold design motifs and accents. Reupholstered chairs, new wall coverings, a new sign-up board, and color-programmable decorative lamps will complete the makeover.

"We are excited that our top section will have a complete new look! And if everything goes according to plan, our players will be able to enjoy the new room by Christmas," said Caro.

After the top section is completed, plans are to continue with a similar makeover in the main poker room. Already, players on the main poker floor are enjoying the recent addition of five new 65-inch wide-screen Mitsubishi TVs to improve viewing of horse races and sporting events.

On the California games main floor, a large food service station will be demolished to make way for a cocktail bar and small demonstration kitchen. The new food and beverage outlet will have a beautiful, contemporary design, and will offer a fully stocked bar and a variety of prepared-to-order appetizers and light food items. Players will be able to take a break from the gaming tables and sit down for a cocktail or quick bite to eat without ever leaving the casino floor.

Perhaps the most dramatic transformation of all will be a completely revamped player food menu. The casino recently hired David McGrath, restaurant manager at the Four Seasons, Beverly Hills, and a regular $25-$50 hold'em player, to develop and implement a new dining concept.

After months of planning and preparation, McGrath will soon breathe a sigh of relief as his new menu debuts in late November. "Our new menu will have many of the favorites that our players have come to expect and enjoy over the years, sprinkled with about 20 delicious new surprises," said McGrath. He added that his personal favorites are the new North Carolina pulled-pork sandwich and the filet mignon au poivre.

To improve food service, the casino added food expediters in September to dramatically decrease the time it takes to get orders to players. Believed to be unique to the card casino industry, the expediters allow food servers to spend more time on the gaming floor and ensure that food is delivered fast. The casino says the waiting time from the time of an order to the time of its delivery to a player has been reduced by 50 percent.

Other unique food options are already in place, and have proven to be extremely popular. Hollywood Park Casino recently teamed up with the famous Pink's Hot Dogs to open the first freestanding Pink's Hot Dog stand outside of the original Melrose and LaBrea location. The hot pink and yellow hot dog stand is located in the casino lobby and also features fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts around-the-clock.

Other changes have nothing to do with food or remodeling, but are every bit as impressive. In August, the casino purchased a VIP suite at the Staples Center to treat players to complimentary Lakers, Kings, and Clippers games, and other sporting and special events. Hollywood Park Casino's owner, Leo Chu, said, "We wanted something unique to offer our players. Whether low-limit or high-limit players, our goal is to invite as many of our most loyal players as we can to enjoy a fun, relaxing evening in our suite."

The casino's Players Club continues to reward players for their play. A popular new feature is the ability for members to convert their earned credit into cash. Most players use their free earned credit for food purchases, but the new cash option is catching on, with more than $115,000 paid out in the past six months.

If you would like to see an extreme makeover up close and personal, it's happening now at Hollywood Park Casino. No appointments or consultations are required – just a willingness to enjoy beautiful new surroundings, great food, and some of Los Angeles' best action.