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Could that head of lettuce be our son, couple asks in ‘Comedy Tonight’ set for April 1 and 2 at Dante Literary Society’s clubhouse in Scranton

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Happy birthday to Samuel David Cragle!

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Plans for an indoor water park at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Casino in Plains Township are on hold.</p><p>Building of the water park was first announced in October, 2014, when casino President/CEO Mike Bean revealed plans to add more attractions to the complex over the next three to five years that would drive the group&#8217;s $1.5 billion investment even higher.</p><p>Bean, 51, president of the local casino operation, told the Times Leader Opinion Board Thursday the water park project has basically dried up for now.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not going forward at this point,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We are looking for the right partner. We had a potential partner, but that fell through.&#8221;</p><p>Bean said the water park is still a part of the casino&#8217;s master plan and the search for a new partner is continuing.</p><p>At that October, 2014, presentation, Bean said the planned future expansion, which he called &#8220;our pack up the minivan approach,&#8221; was aimed at attracting more customers from a wider radius.</p><p>Back in 2014, Bean also announced other components to the long-term visionary plan: an indoor sports complex with two large indoor sports domes and seven artificial turf fields, a snow park that would feature snow-flex skiing and snowboarding mountain, an outlet shopping mall and, possibly, a second hotel.</p><p>On Thursday, Bean said the total capital investment to date is $659 million over the site&#8217;s years of evolution from a racetrack to a mini-casino, to revamping the entire racing area, to building a new casino, to construction of a hotel and more.</p><p>He said licensing costs to the state are also included in the investment figures and, when added to the $880 million paid in taxes, there is a $1.5 billion total investment along Fox Hill Road.</p><p>Bean said there are just under 2,000 employees at Mohegan Sun.</p><p><strong>Co-generation plant</strong></p><p>Bean expects the new co-generation plant to be operational by the fall. The estimated cost is $3 million and 30 percent of the funding will be in the form of a grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority in Harrisburg.</p><p>Electricity and heat generated by the new system will supplement what is already consumed in the casino and hotel and conference center, will lower utility bills and have a positive impact on the environment.</p><p>Once operational, Bean said the electricity and heating from the system are likely to reduce Mohegan Sun Pocono&#8217;s carbon footprint by 3,900 metric tons annually.</p><p>Mohegan Sun Pocono has teamed with UGI HVAC Enterprises Inc., of Reading, on the project.</p><p>Bean said the new system will provide stability and a continuous source of electricity to the casino floor where 2,300 slot machines are located. In the past when there was an interruption, it took a second or two for the back-up generator to restore power, he said.</p><p>&#8220;Even with a one second stop, the machines must re-boot,&#8221; Bean said. &#8220;It&#8217;s more of an inconvenience to our customers.. This new system should eliminate that.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Other issues</strong></p><p><strong>&#8226; Local economy:</strong> Bean said the casino, its restaurants and retail shops are typically &#8220;at the low end of discretionary spending.&#8221; He said the casino business has increased every year and that is a good indicator for the local economy.</p><p>Bean attributed low fuel prices as one reason why more people &#8212; about 10,000 per day (more on weekends) &#8212; visit the casino. Cheaper gas also allows people to travel from farther distances.</p><p><strong>&#8226; The hotel:</strong> Bean said the facility that opened nearly three years ago operates with a 95 percent capacity. &#8220;We are currently evaluating whether we need or will need additional rooms,&#8221; he said when asked if a second hotel is planned on-site.</p><p>He said the local hotel business has increased because of the need for additional rooms not available on the casino site.</p><p><strong>&#8226; Air quality:</strong> Bean said the casino has not been cited by any regulatory agencies regarding the air quality in the casino and the casino employs a full-time crew that operates and maintains the HVAC system.</p><p>Banning smoking in casinos would hurt business significantly as the revenue from gaming in smoking areas is double the amount in non-smoking areas, according to Bean.</p><p>&#8220;If smoking were banned, I believe it would have a substantial impact on revenue,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We believe in personal choice.&#8221;</p><p>Bean said the casino contracts with Gmerek Government Relations to act as lobbyists in Harrisburg regarding all issues affecting the gaming industry.</p><p><strong>&#8226; Online gaming:</strong> Bean would favor online gambling under certain parameters, saying the system should be run through existing casinos.</p><p><strong>&#8226; Customer concerns:</strong> Bean wants people to spend &#8220;entertainment dollars&#8221; they can afford. &#8220;We want then to stay within their budgets,&#8221; he said.</p><p>The casino has a compulsive gambling program in place and employees are trained to recognize customers with gambling problems.</p><p>The casino also actively seeks customer evaluations and ratings and suggestions on how to improve. Bean said survey results show the casino has consistently received more than a 50 percent &#8220;A&#8221; rating by customers.</p><p><strong>&#8226; Crime/theft:</strong> Bean said the casino is always looking to improve in this area, adding there is a Pennsylvania State Police unit on site at all times and a 24-hour surveillance system is operational.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Mike Bean, of Mohegan Sun Pocono, discusses the local financial climate with the Times Leader Opinion Board. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032516Bean1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Mike Bean, of Mohegan Sun Pocono, discusses the local financial climate with the Times Leader Opinion Board. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032516Bean2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Mike Bean, of Mohegan Sun Pocono, discusses the local financial climate with the Times Leader Opinion Board. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_TTL032516Bean2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Mike Bean, of Mohegan Sun Pocono, discusses the local financial climate with the Times Leader Opinion Board. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Mohegan Sun Pocono CEO Mike Bean outlines plans for casino’s future