The spot in Lawrence County where the proposed Valley View Downs would be built looks pretty much the same as it has the last three years.
Developer Centaur Racing of Indiana hasn't been able to secure the financing. John Wozniak, a Pennsylvania senator from the Johnstown area, wants to change the idea.
Wozniak said he wants to make it a stand-alone casino and then move it to another part of the state. State Rep. Chris Sainato said he knows that Wozniak would like a casino in Johnstown, and he hasn't been successful.
Sainato, who's district covers Lawrence County, said Wozniak's idea goes against the original intent to locate casinos at horse racing facilities, which Sainato said was to save the horse-racing industry.
Local officials also think the project should stay where it is despite Wozniak's efforts to move it.
"I can understand why he would want to do this, again, he's doing his job," said Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler. "We just don't want it to be at our expense."
Neither does Centaur Racing. A statement released by the company suggests it remains committed to Lawrence County. It said that a "tremendous amount of time and resources" have already been spent on the project.
A key now would be to obtain yet another extension on Centaur's harness-racing license, which expires in September. Vogler said he believes the state will grant the extra time if its requested.
Officials said that time is becoming a factor in the project and that Centaur needs to secure its funding soon. Sainato, who sits on the Horse Racing Committee in the State House, doesn't think Wozniak's bill will make it very far, even if it passes in the Senate.
"I will do everything I can to make sure this bill never sees the light of day," he said.
