"We are looking to develope a full-feldged entertainment complex and we can't afford to give people the wrong first impression and be forced to redo it,so we want to do all the necessary planning so that we have the right product with the right mix of amenities that both locals and tourists want to enjoy,"said Licciardi,adding our centerpiece,the sport of jai-alai."

He continued,"Jai-Alai has been an integral prrt of Miami for over 80 years,and we do it better than anyone else in the world.We want to continue to present the best jai-alai talent anywhere in the world.and with the revenue brought in by the slot machines,we'll have the opportunity to showcase our athletes with partidos,specialty events and a schedule that will keep things fresh.WE can showcase the sport and not strickly depend on the gambling dollars on jai-alai to support our entire entertainment operation."

"You see casinos around the country trying to come up with new themes to create excitement and attract customers-we already have a natural built-in product that differentiates us from everyone else and we want to build on that."

Licciardi talks passionately about the huge benefits for the community saying,"This will be a renaissance for this area,first providing construction jobs for local businesses,then later we will be offering hundreds of new jobs for the local residents as we become a 24-hour operation.We are looking at between 1,200 and 1,500 jobs,depending on the amount of investment revenue we come up with-we have several different directions in which we can move,whether it's partnering with a current gaming company,hiring a company to come in and run casino operations,or several other scenarios."

Licciardi says that it probably will be 6 or 7 months before the first shovel is put into the ground for rebuilding and renovations,and that it will be at least two years before the first slot machine lever is pulled."Two years seems like a very long time for voters that want to see it happen immediately,but there are issues that need to be worked out with local governments as we continue to raise investment capital," he said."We have a partnership with the county and city,and they want to help us get the poeration on track because revenue for us will also be revenue for them."

"We are thankful for the Broward slots experience,because it gives us the benefit of watching what they did.We will use those lessons to maximize the dollars we bring in per machine.There will be incredible opportunities to market our business to tourists already wanting to come to Miami.For example,our proximity to the airport and the Port of Miami will bring in people arriving for cruises and those having long layovers at the airport."

Early plays call for renovations and additions to the current building in the same location,as dictated by the 2004 Florida constitutional amendment which requires any slot operations to be conducted "contiguous to or connected with the live gaming area"in a spot where"games or races were conducted during the previous two years",One important component of any expansion plans will be to include covered parking garages attached to the new facility."One of our chief concerns is the safety and comfort of our patrons and these garages will provide convenience in many ways,including protection from the rain and sun,"said Licciardi.

But while patrons are protected from the elements,the sky will be the limit for numerous entertainment possibilities."We are looking at a $150 to 200-million entertainemnt campus with so many things to do-we want to bring back some of the attractions we have been known for in the past such as nationally televised boxing events,concerts,parties and dances,"said Licciardi,and in closing,he added,"but jai-alai is what we do best,and these other attractions will get people in the building to return to enjoy this beautiful sport."

For the Bad-Ass In You

Jai alai is not a game for wussies. It takes onions to play a game in which your competition launches a ball at you with deadly speed, on par with the bullet that killed Abe Lincoln. And all you have to defend yourself is a wicker basket. During a standard game, the rock-hard ball hits speeds of up to 180 mph, ricocheting against a wall before the opposing player must catch it and return it on the fly or first bounce. If he cannot, he loses the point and gets sent to the back of the rotation. It’s a game fueled by speed and strength, with a dash of humiliation. And that player’s shameful dishonor can be your gain if you happen to bet against him. Cha-ching!