Gideon Putnam Resort NY Press Releases

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Tom Wysocki brings more than 20 years of industry experience to Gideon Putnam Resort

BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 8, 2009) – Gideon Putnam Resort and Roosevelt Baths & Spa has hired Tom Wysocki as its director of sales and marketing. Wysocki will work to develop the resort’s presence in the hospitality industry.

Wysocki brings more than 20 years of hospitality and sales industry experience to Gideon Putnam Resort. Most recently, he worked as the director of sales for The Desmond Hotel in Albany, N.Y. He had a similar post with the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, N.Y., and has several strong ties to the conference industry in the Northeast.

“Tom has all the necessary skills and experience to leverage Gideon Putnam Resort in our region and the industry,” said Tim Smith, general manager at Gideon Putnam Resort and Roosevelt Baths & Spa. “I’m excited to have him join our staff and eager to see what he is able to accomplish.”

Wysocki is originally from Hoosick Falls, N.Y., and resides in Queensbury, N.Y., with his wife and two daughters.

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
 Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Tenaya Lodge; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake; and Gideon Putnam Resort. For additional information, visit www.dnchospitalitymgt.com.

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 50,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/. 

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Roosevelt Baths & Spa honored for environmentally friendly practices

BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 8, 2009) – The Roosevelt Baths & Spa at Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., is now an Eminence Green Spa.

Eminence Organic Skin Care recently named Roosevelt Baths & Spa to its green spa list for its continued environmental efforts. The Roosevelt Baths & Spa has long been known for its focus on all-natural, organic and reusable products and other green practices.

“Our team is extremely proud to be recognized by Eminence Organic Skin Care and to be acknowledged for our environmental efforts,” said Michelle Calzada, spa director at Roosevelt Baths & Spa.

The Eminence Green Spa Program is a newly launched certification program that recognizes spas with eco-conscious practices that “actively support the green movement.” In order to become Eminence Green Spa-certified, a spa must “prove that it is actively involved in earth-friendly practices such as the use of reusable bags and linens, low-voltage lighting, organic fabrics and products, recycling programs and an assortment of other green routines,” according to the organization. 

In 2008, the Roosevelt Baths & Spa underwent a striking transformation when Delaware North Companies completed a $1.8 million renovation, the first phase of a planned 20-year, $18 million investment program that will include improvements to the hotel’s guest accommodations, lobby and corridors, as well as the storied mineral baths.

The Roosevelt Baths & Spa is a full-service spa offering massage therapy, body therapy, facials, a salon and mineral bathing in its 42 treatment rooms from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. It is one of the only area spas that offers heated mineral water bathing. Regular bathing in mineral springs is considered by many to be an important factor in preventive health care.

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
 Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Tenaya Lodge; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake; and Gideon Putnam Resort. For additional information, visit http://www.dnchospitalitymgt.com/.

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 50,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/. 

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With 2009 underway, The Gideon Putnam Resort is set to begin some exciting new updates and improvements to its hotel and spa facilities.

Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, Gideon Putnam Resort had the ultimate guest experience in mind when making plans for renovations to the hotel entrance and lobby, dining room, gift shop, and guest accommodations. The Roosevelt Baths & Spa at Gideon Putnam will also be refreshing and renovating its facilities to provide the most modern spa experience for guests while also staying true to its storied past as protectors of the historic mineral springs located there.

Upon entering the resort, guests will be greeted by a series of graphic panels highlighting the performing arts, the mineral springs and bath house, and other area treasures that tell the Gideon Putnam and Saratoga Springs’ story. The hotel lobby will be enlivened with exciting new paint colors and comfortable new furniture to welcome guests back after a long day of hiking, site-seeing, or a day at the races for a relaxing evening.

The gift shop and fitness center will both move to new locations, making them more accessible to guests and visitors. The gift shop will move back to its original location in the hotel’s main lobby. An array of new merchandise will be available with the opening of the location. 

For those looking for a great weekend get-away, look no further than the Gideon Putnam Hotel in 2009. All 120 guest rooms will be updated with luxurious new bed linens and blankets to ensure guests a perfect night’s sleep away from home. New window treatments and blinds will provide eco-friendly solutions to assist the resort in protecting the environment that many come to Saratoga Springs to experience.

To experience the resort without spending a night, visitors can enjoy a delicious meal in Putnam's. The new bar area will include bistro style tables perfect for a cocktail before dinner. In the summer, diners will have a chance to experience the beautiful Saratoga Springs, NY weather with a meal or drink on our patio.

Finally, for those in need of relaxation and rejuvenation, the plan for the Roosevelt Baths & Spa entices guests with a refreshed lobby centered around a new palm tree and  features the addition of a transition room with a fireplace and waterfall to help spa guests enter or return from an appointment with a relaxation specialist.

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Spa and romance deals among top featured packages designed to cater to customers interests

BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 5, 2008) – As part of a plan designed to cater to the specialized interests of its customers, Gideon Putnam Resort, managed by Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, has announced several relaxing fall packages. Accented by the beautiful fall foliage of Saratoga Spa State Park, the historic resort has proven itself a definitive choice for guests looking to experience nature, leisure and most importantly, relaxation. Designed to help ease the stress of customers, these packages allow guests to re-focus time and attention on themselves and loved ones.

In upcoming months, the following packages will be available for guests to indulge in:

Bed and Breakfast Package: For those who only need a night away to rekindle romance, the bed and breakfast package promises to make possibilities realities. In addition to one-night resort accommodations and free access to the Roosevelt Baths & Spa’s fitness center and steam room, each guest receives breakfast during their stay.

Romance Package: Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by a bottle of champagne and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. During their stay, they will also be treated to dinner and breakfast for two, and if desired, can experience rejuvenating spa treatments at the resort’s Roosevelt Baths & Spa for an additional charge. Package includes deluxe one-night accommodations at the resort.

Spa Retreat Package: Those looking to indulge in the spa’s luxurious amenities will be treated to two mineral baths, two one-hour Swedish massages and use of the steam room and fitness center at the spa. Package includes one or two-night accommodations at the resort, as well as breakfast and dinner for two.

Gideon Putnam’s Roosevelt Baths & Spa recently announced the unveiling of four new spa treatment rooms offering 100 percent pure mineral baths. Through a $100,000 renovation, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), in partnership with Delaware North, converted four baths to utilize the historic spring water of Saratoga. Pure mineral baths have long held a presence in the region, as people have believed in the restorative physical and psychological benefits stemming from the treatments. Since 1935, Gideon Putnam has offered this unique option to guests as a way to relieve stress naturally.

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden, Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.

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Guests indulge in pure mineral baths drawn from local springs

BUFFALO, N.Y. (June 09, 2008) – New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), in partnership with Delaware North Companies, has announced the conversion of four new spa treatment rooms for guests of the Roosevelt Baths and Spa at Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Spa State Park.  OPRHP has converted two of the four treatment rooms to include 100 percent pure mineral bathwater. The new changes will allow spa customers to choose the heating method used to prepare their fresh spring water baths. Two rooms were completed and opened May 30. The remaining two rooms will be completed in time for the Independence Day weekend.  The cost of the project is $100,000.

In addition to offering the pure mineral water that many believe has therapeutic benefits; guests now have a choice regarding how their bathwater is heated. The first option is the standard heating method, which consists of blending cool mineral water with hot fresh water to achieve the desired temperature. In a study conducted by Malcolm Pirnie for the OPRHP, the century-old environmental consulting firm reported that blending the mineral water with fresh water results in a bath with less mineral content. However, the process adds effervescence to the water.

The second and new heating method results in undiluted mineral bathwater. Heating mineral water in the traditional way – that is, using a boiler – has long been a challenge because the concentrated minerals corrode the tank. But a new tankless system now in place at Gideon Putnam Resort eliminates that problem. The 53-degree, pure mineral water is drawn up from the springs and heated by an internal burner immediately before it flows through the tub faucet. The result is hot, unadulterated mineral water.

“Although the differences are slight, by providing both heating methods, patrons will be able to make a choice based on whether they prefer larger quantities of minerals or more effervescence,” said OPRHP Commissioner Carol Ash.

The famed baths of Saratoga are well-known. Since the mid-1800s, people have believed the spring’s natural mineral water has healing powers, and is effective as a preventive health treatment. Gideon Putnam Resort has been offering mineral baths since 1935.

“We are happy to be able to work with the OPRHP to bring 100-percent mineral bathwater to our spa,” said Michael Barnes, general manager for Delaware North Companies at Gideon Putnam Resort. “For years, Gideon Putnam has been sharing the region’s natural resources by offering fresh mineral baths, and this new option will only further enhance our customers’ experience and connection to the story of Saratoga Spa State Park.”

In its bid for the management contract at Gideon Putnam Resort, Delaware North emphasized the importance of restoring and maintaining the resort’s obvious historic and geographic charm, and sharing the property’s many stories with guests.

“In addition to the conversion of the baths, we are adding graphic panels in the relaxation rooms that tell the story of the springs and help guests connect with the place they are visiting,” said Barnes.

A plan is in place to upgrade treatment rooms and lobby décor; add design enhancements, and new coffee, tea and lunch services; and create a solitary relaxation room that will include a calming water feature. Delaware North also plans to fund a multi-million-dollar remodel of the hotel and conference center that will focus on the lobby, dining facilities and guestrooms.

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
 Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Plaza del Pasado in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park; The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake; The Balsams Grand Resort; and Gideon Putnam Resort. To learn more about Delaware North Companies’ expertise in the hospitality industry, visit www.experienceDNC.com.

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden, Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues of  $2.3 billion annually and 50,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com. 

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Delaware North Companies Inc.
5 June 2008

Delaware North Companies recently announced Brian Sterner, CCC as executive chef at Gideon Putnam Resort located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

After joining Delaware North Companies as executive chef of the prestigious Top of the Falls Restaurant at Niagara Falls State Park in 2005, Sterner has spent the past two years helping the park to grow its food and beverage operations. He was also a contributing chef to Delaware North Companies first cookbook, “Pathways to Plate,” in which he offered recipes for some of the Niagara region’s most popular dishes. In his new position at Gideon Putnam Resort, Sterner will oversee all culinary affairs, including dining options, menu offerings and maintaining the resort’s high-class reputation and commitment to quality.

Sterner will be responsible for managing all three resort dining establishments, including the Georgian Room, The Saratoga Grille and the seasonal Café in the Park. Known for its historic ambiance and innovative dishes, Sterner said the Georgian Room will continue to offer the finest ingredients and a unique, premiere dining experience.

“I plan to focus on enhancing the quality of the food and bringing a new modern twist to timeless, traditional dishes,” said Sterner. “We’ve already started to make some changes to our Sunday Brunch, our wedding catering menus and our typical birthday and special occasion menus.”

Sterner said that with these changes, an Asian stir-fry station has been added as well as cold food and salad options. Instead of only offering typical ingredients like red peppers and mushrooms at the omelette station, diners can expect to see additional choices like feta cheese, spinach and smoked salmon.

“I’ve been with the company for three years now, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with exciting and large scale special events like the Shuttle Launch and improve my knowledge and skill through Delaware North’s Food and Beverage Summits,” said Sterner. “All of these experiences have helped me to become a better chef, and to settle in easily at my new position at Gideon Putnam Resort.”
Sterner received an associates degree in specialized technology from the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts in 1998 and has since worked as an executive chef at such places as the Copperfield Inn in North Creek, New York, the Steelhead Irish Pub in western New York and an executive sous chef at the Hotel Viking restaurant. He holds a variety of certifications and memberships, including a spot in the American Culinary Federation in 1997, his pro Chef Level II and Chef de Cuisine Certification in 2005, and was inducted into America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals.

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Michael Barnes named as General Manager of the 72- year-old resort located in the world-renowned Saratoga Spa State Park

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Feb 29, 2008) – Effective January 1, 2008, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, in a partnership with Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, took over hospitality management for the historic Gideon Putnam Resort. As the new operator, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts will be responsible for overseeing all lodging, food and beverage, retail and recreational operations for the 72-year-old, full-service resort destination, which includes management of the famed Roosevelt Spa.

“Gideon Putnam Resort is a perfect fit with Delaware North’s management portfolio of unique destinations and historic properties,” stated Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts. “We are excited about the opportunity to provide quality recreational and hospitality services to our guests while simultaneously preserving the natural wonder of Saratoga Spa State Park.”

Michael Barnes, former general manager of Niagara Falls state Park operations for Delaware North Parks & Resort, will serve as the general manager of the Gideon Putnam Resort.  He is responsible for overseeing operations at the historic resort, along with the Roosevelt Spa.

“We are excited about the opportunity to tell the story of this renowned and historic property,” said Barnes. One of the most significant and immediate improvement will be made in “interpretive” features that tell visitors the story and history surrounding Gideon Putnam and the Saratoga Spa State Park.  This will include improved signage and room décor, as well as historical markers and displays.”
Barnes has been an integral and successful member of the Delaware North family since 1998 when he began serving as the general manager for Niagara Falls State Park. Over his nine years, he helped double the park’s revenue and was responsible for $4.5 million of capital improvement throughout the park’s visitor center.

Both new and long-time returning guests can look forward to over $20 million in future improvements to the resort and bathhouse as well as an expanded menu of interpretive programs, utilizing the vast natural landscapes abundant in the area as well as the hotel’s renowned history. Improvements will include upgrading furniture, fixtures and other equipment in the facility as well as improvements to the restaurants, bar and Roosevelt Spa.  In addition, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts anticipates broadening its marketing efforts to appeal to new group markets such as meetings and conventions, tour and travel, reunions, weddings and social functions by positioning the property as a complete resort and spa.

Set among the towering oaks and pines of a 2,300-acre park, the 120-room resort and 42-room spa, reminiscent of the Georgian Era, provides a refuge from the hubbub of everyday life, along with all of the amenities you expect from a first-class resort. As America’s first spa resort, it was built more than 70 years ago to provide a comfortable home for visitors taking advantage of the mineral waters of Saratoga Springs running through the park. Over the years, the resort has been home-away-from-home to politicians, authors, celebrities and society leaders.

Delaware North Companies is one of the nation’s foremost hospitality and entertainment companies, managing numerous well-known entities such as, Niagara Falls State Park, Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa (near Vancouver British Columbia), The Plaza Grand Ballroom in New York City and The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park.

The company’s extensive track record of success in hotel and hospitality management, as well as its strong ties in New York State make it an ideal choice to strategically position and enhance Gideon Putnam Resort.

 About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
 Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Plaza del Pasado in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park; The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake; The Balsams Grand Resort; and The Gideon Putnam Resort.  To learn more about Delaware North Companies’ expertise in the hospitality industry, visit http://www.dnchospitalitymgt.com/.

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden, Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  For more information, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/. 

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  Michael Barnes, General Manager Gideon Putnam Resort, is available for interviews by contacting:
Kerry Hassen at 716-858-5016
Khassen@dncinc.com

Photographs of Gideon Putnam Resort available upon request.

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For Immediate Release:      Contact: Eileen Larrabee
September  2007                518.486.1868

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Announce Changes to Saratoga Spa Roosevelt Bath House

Patrons To Be Offered Option Of Directly Heated Mineral Water:
Additional Major Renovations Planned For Bath And Spa Complex

 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Commissioner Carol Ash today announced that major changes are in store for the historic Roosevelt I Bathhouse in Saratoga Spa State Park.  With the selection of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, a $450,000 renovation plan for the Roosevelt I Bathhouse is slated for 2008.

“The famed baths of Saratoga have played an important part in this region’s rich history,” said Ash.  “I am confident that improvements to the Roosevelt Bathhouse and future capital investments in the Gideon Putnam Hotel will return these facilities to the destination spots they once were.  We look forward to our partnership with Delaware North Parks & Resorts and anticipate that their investments in the park will add greatly to the patron experience.”

“We look forward to initiating our improvement plans for both the hotel and spa. In addition, we will add key interpretive elements to ensure the history and culture of the park, hotel and spa are effectively communicated to all who visit,” stated Kevin Kelly, president, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts.  “Our goal is to ensure that visitors to the Gideon Putnam Hotel & Conference Center and Roosevelt Spa will take away a deep appreciation for the special place they have visited.”

 Among the most notable changes being planned for 2008 will be the option for patrons to choose the heating method for their mineral bath experience.  Several new water heaters will be installed at the Roosevelt I Bathhouse, providing an option for patrons to choose a bath consisting completely of Saratoga’s famed mineral water.  For those patrons who prefer the current heating method of blending cold mineral water with hot tap water, that option will remain.

 The decision to offer bathing options follows the completion of a report on the mineral water by local engineering firm Malcolm Pirnie.  The review was initiated following reports in the New York Post last spring regarding the contents of mineral baths being offered at Saratoga Spa State Park.  The Post noted, correctly, that the cold mineral water was being mixed with heated tap water.  The Malcolm Pirnie engineering report concluded that while blended heating of the water results in a bath with less mineral content than a bath comprised of directly heated mineral water, it does provide a more effervescent bath.   

 “Although the differences are slight, by providing both heating methods of the mineral water, patrons will be able to make a choice based on whether they prefer larger quantities of minerals or more effervescence,” said Ash.
    
 Earlier this summer, OPRHP announced that Delaware North Parks & Resort had been chosen to operate the Gideon Putnam Hotel and Conference Center and the Roosevelt Baths and Spa.  Contract negotiations are in progress and are expected to be completed within a few weeks.  Upon approval of the contract by the Attorney General and the state Comptroller, Delaware North Parks & Resorts will assume operation of the facilities on or about January 1, 2008.  The renovation of the bathhouse is slated for the first phase of capital investments Delaware North has agreed to make in the leased properties.

 In addition to the new water heaters, preliminary plans for the $450,000 renovation of the Roosevelt Bathhouse include renovation and upgrades to all of the north wing treatment rooms, including new furniture, window treatments, and wall covering; complete lobby refurbishment with new interior designs and décor; new lobby and hallway furniture; coffee, tea, and lunch services; expanded retail services; and the installation of a relaxation/solitude room including a water feature. 

The presentation will be themed around the historic mineral waters of Saratoga, with an emphasis on the unique mineral bath experience offered at the Roosevelt Baths & Spa.  In addition to new food services, the spa will offer an expanded menu of treatment services and package experiences.

Ash also highlighted Delaware North’s environmental GreenPath® program and the opportunities it presents to expand energy conservation, environmental sustainability, and other eco-friendly initiatives at the concessions in the park.

All of the renovations to the historic Roosevelt Bathhouse will be conducted in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation to ensure that the significant architectural and historical features of the building are both preserved and highlighted.  The Gideon Putnam Hotel and the Roosevelt Bathhouse are National Historic Landmarks.

Delaware North Parks and Resort’s winning bid proposal also includes plans for a multi-million dollar investment in the Gideon Putnam Hotel and Conference Center.  Among the many changes to the hotel will be enhancements to guest rooms, extensive upgrades to public areas, including the lobby, and a new presentation of the dining experience for both hotel guests and the general public.  Details of the major renovations anticipated for the hotel will be announced following completion of the contract negotiations between OPRHP and Delaware North.

Ash also announced that later this year OPRHP will initiate the development of a comprehensive Master Plan for Saratoga Spa State Park.  Creation of the Master Plan, which is a formal process requiring an environmental impact statement, detailed studies and public input will identify future capital investments needed to rehabilitate and upgrade recreational facilities throughout the park. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 3, 2007) – Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has been selected by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Upon learning of the opportunity to operate the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, Delaware North formed an operating company called Gideon Putnam, LLC. The 50-50 business venture marries Delaware North’s proficiency with and passion for historic and unique destinations with Saratoga Gaming and Raceway’s 50-plus-year tradition of providing hospitality and entertainment to guests of New York’s Capital Region. Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, and Dan Gerrity, president of Saratoga Harness Racing, will serve as principals of the new operating company.

“We thought it was important to have a local partner on our team,” said Kelly. “Dan and his family have long demonstrated their commitment to the community by offering quality entertainment and hospitality in the region. ”Saratoga Gaming and Raceway draws more than 2 million guests each year. Delaware North believes a closer working relationship with Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa would serve to create a destination resort in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

“In developing this business relationship, we see tremendous synergies between our two companies, both of which are based in Upstate New York and have remained family-owned and operated since their founding. We believe that this partnership will take Gideon Putnam to the next level in terms of guest services and occupancy,” Kelly added.

According to Brad Anderholm, vice president of lodging for Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, the decision to pursue the bid for the Gideon Putnam contract was a thoughtful one for him and his management team. In the end, there was much that signaled a good fit for Delaware North and the historic property.

“At least three factors influenced our decision to pursue the opportunity outlined in the state’s RFP for Gideon Putnam,” he said. “The first, the satisfaction we’ve gained from our more-than-10-year public-private partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through our operation in Niagara Falls State Park, and Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks; the second, our affinity for and expertise with stewardship of unique and special properties in North America, several of which are on the National Historic Registry; and the third, the possibility of a synergy between the storied facility and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, where our sister subsidiary -- Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment – handles the video gaming and food service functions.”

Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts views the preservation and presentation of history and culture as part of its stewardship of the locations in which it is privileged to live and work. This includes a nationally recognized, award-winning system of environmental management called GreenPath®, the restoration and maintenance of historic structures, and imparting each property’s story to guests through innovative interpretive programs and activities.

“We were delighted with news of being selected. We’re ready to bring all of the appropriate resources and experts to the assignment,” Anderholm said. “That includes our customary practice of working with local partners and other divisions of our parent company to safeguard and nurture the property we’ve been entrusted with.”

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Robert Moses State Park; Old Town San Diego; The Lodge & Conference Center at Geneva-on-the-Lake; The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel; and St. Mary Lodge & Resort. To learn more about Delaware North Companies’ expertise in the hospitality industry, visit http://www.dnchospitalitymgt.com/.

About Delaware North Companies
mpaniesDelaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and TD Banknorth Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues approaching $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  For more information, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/.

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Operator of Yosemite National Park, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and world-class hotels believes
teaming up with the state in the management of the destination resort would be a perfect partnership.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (May 15, 2007) – Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has submitted a bid to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation  to operate Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, Inc., a $2 billion global hospitality leader with holdings and/or operations on three continents. A leader in its industries, Delaware North owns and operates Boston’s TD Banknorth Garden, racing and gaming venues, and hotels and resorts. Its operations include design and management of lodging, recreation, culinary, retail, transportation and restoration of historic properties at some of the most celebrated locations and venues throughout the world. It has been family-owned and Buffalo, N.Y.,-based since its founding in 1915.

According to Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, the decision to pursue the bid for the Gideon Putnam contract was a thoughtful one for him and his management team. In the end, there was much that signaled a good fit for Delaware North and the historic property.

“At least three factors influenced our decision to pursue the opportunity outlined in the state’s RFP for Gideon Putnam,” said Kelly. “The first, the satisfaction we’ve gained from our more-than-10-year partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through our operation in Niagara Falls State Park, and Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks; the second, our affinity for and expertise with stewardship of unique and special properties in North America, several of which are on the National Historic Registry; and the third, the possibility of a synergy between the storied facility and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, where our sister subsidiary -- Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment – handles the video gaming and food service functions.”
In Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts’ bid for the contract for Gideon Putnam, the company offered the state the benefit of its culinary, retail, facilities management, sales and marketing, and hotel ownership expertise. It is likewise proposing a partnership with Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc., in the formation of an operating company called Gideon Putnam, LLC. Dan Gerrity, president of Gideon Putnam, LLC, would serve as one of the principals of the company.

“We thought it was important to add a local partner to our team,” Kelly wrote in the executive summary of the bid. “Dan and his family have been operating at the raceway in Saratoga for more than 50 years, and have demonstrated their commitment to offering quality entertainment and hospitality in the region.”

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway draws more than 2 million guests each year. Delaware North believes a closer working relationship with Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa would serve to create a destination resort in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
“In developing this business relationship, we see tremendous synergies between our two companies, both of which are based in Upstate New York and have remained family-owned and operated. We believe that this partnership can take Gideon Putnam to the next level in terms of guest services and occupancy,” Kelly added. 

Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts views the preservation and presentation of history and culture as part of its stewardship of the locations in which it is privileged to live and work.

“Essentially, should the contract be awarded to us, we’ll bring all of the appropriate resources and experts to the assignment,” Kelly said. “That includes our customary practice of working with local partners and other divisions of our parent company to safeguard and nurture the property we’ve been entrusted with.”

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Old Town San Diego; The Lodge & Conference Center at Geneva-on-the-Lake; The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel; and The Resort at Glacier. To learn more about Delaware North Companies’ expertise in the hospitality industry, visit www.experienceDNC.com

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and TD Banknorth Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues approaching $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  For more information, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/.