Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette

Slots players on the first day of the Meadows Racetrack & Casino opening.

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino opened its $175 million permanent facility to the public at 9:45 a.m. today, when a crowd of several hundred surged inside the spacious building in Washington County.

"This is really impressive," said Pat Doyle of Delmont, visiting the food court and surveying race horses warming up on the track outside while he waited to play some of the 3,100 slot machines.

On a drizzly morning, the crowd was much smaller than for a test run on Monday or for the opening of the Meadows' temporary facility in June 2007.

Officials expressed confidence, however, that the new building will raise revenue 50 percent above the monthly $20 million generated at the temporary building.

"We will definitely attract more people now," General Manager Mike Graninger said, as a result of not just more slots, but greater parking, dining and entertainment options.