Dozens of well-dressed officials stood near an entrance to Happy Valley Casino on Friday afternoon to celebrate its official grand opening, while two oversized checks were presented to a pair of Centre County charities.
Founding casino partner Ira Lubert opened the ceremony with a few words before YMCA of Centre County and State College Food Bank were eventually given two large checks, proceeds from the casino’s two “test days” last month.
Each nonprofit received a separate check for $81,124.94.
“We were pretty surprised by the amount, to be honest with you,” Scott Mitchell, CEO of YMCA of Centre County, told the crowd.
