Hard Rock interest in West Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - There's a new city emerging as a possible player in the western Massachusetts casino sweepstakes.

22News confirmed Thursday that Hard Rock International is exploring the possibility of developing a casino in West Springfield, bringing big gaming to the Big E.

For months people in West Springfield have watched the casino competition unfold across the river in Springfield. Thursday 22News confirmed that Big E CEO Gene Cassidy is in what he called... "exploratory conversations" with Hard Rock International-- which could mean a casino in West Side. 22News asked people who live and work there what they thought of the prospect of "Big E-like"  crowds-- all year long.

“Anything that's good for business, good for the people, good for the community. People assume that a casino is going to bring in negative people for lack of a better word but I think that's just an assumption,” said Jameson Humphries who lives near the Big E fairgrounds.

Businesses around the fairgrounds are certainly impacted by the big e every year, and they'd be impacted by a casino. One business owner we spoke with said he's eager to learn about what a potential project could offer.

“Lots of things could happen. It could take employees from us, we could gain employees. Being directly across the street it could have a good effect it could have a bad effect. At this point until I see what's actually being done I don't want to draw any conclusions,” said Jeffrey Daigneau who owns Lattitude.

“I do think that if a casino is going to come here they should pay for the entire infrastructure to make it right to the satisfaction of the people who live here. While there's a lot of money to be made they have to take care of this so everyone is treated fairly for what they've done here,” said Mark Dupuis, who spends time in West Springfield.

Gene Cassidy told 22News no deals have been made, but they are enthusiastically exploring all options, which means any talks they have are not limited to one possible developer. He said he may have a major announcement in the near future.