As appearing in the Charleston Gazette on July 30, 2009

Tri-State racetrack looking for hotel manager
By Rusty Marks
Staff writer

NITRO, W.Va. -- Although it will be about a year before it's open, officials at Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center are looking for someone to run the hotel being built at the Nitro facility.
"The hotel manager needs to start right away," said Brittany Chaffin, human resources recruiter for the racetrack and casino.

"They're going to have to help us find employees, help oversee the day-to-day construction, help us conduct interviews for employees."

Construction crews broke ground on a 150-room hotel complex at the racetrack in June, part of a $250 million expansion project track owners Hartman & Tyner Inc. promised voters when Kanawha County residents approved the addition of table games at the track in 2007. Under state law, the hotel must be open by August 2010 or Tri-State will face a $2.5 million annual penalty.

But Chaffin said track owners are looking to hire a hotel manager now so they'll be ready when the hotel opens next year. Track owners are hoping to hire someone from West Virginia to fill the position, which will pay between $50,000 and $60,000 a year.

Chaffin said track officials have already had a couple of inquiries about the job. Track owners hope to find someone with a bachelor's degree and five years of experience in the hotel industry.
Track owners will host a mini-recruitment drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at the track's first-floor training room, Chaffin said. Those interested in the position are asked to bring applications and resumes to sit down for pre-interviews.

Chaffin also said the track has about 25 other open positions they're looking to fill. "These are just normal, through attrition, turnover positions," she said.

Available positions range from food servers, hosts, cooks and porters to dog handlers and slot supervisors. Salaries range from $4 an hour plus tips to more than $9 an hour.

For a the complete Hotel Manager job description, click here.

For information, call Chaffin at 304-776-1000, ext. 1442.

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.