West Memphis and Southland Casino Hotel Open $2.3 Million Animal Shelter Honoring Sechrest Advocates

The City of West Memphis and Southland Casino Hotel opened the $2.3 million Carolyn and Ness Sechrest Animal Shelter & Adoption Center. The facility provides a modern space for dogs and cats awaiting adoption at the site of the former Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Center behind the casino.

Southland and parent company Delaware North contributed $1.7 million to the project. The City of West Memphis, community members, and the Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association also participated in the funding.

Project Origins and Naming

The shelter is named in honor of the late Ness Sechrest, chairman emeritus of the Southland board of directors, and his wife, the late Carolyn Sechrest, a former member of the city’s animal control commission. The Sechrests advocated for years to secure funding for a new shelter to replace the prior limited facility.

After the conclusion of live racing at Southland in 2022 and the adoption of all remaining greyhounds, Delaware North’s Jacobs family and the Southland board identified the site as suitable for the improved city shelter. The project combines a new structure with the renovated adoption facility. Groundbreaking occurred in early 2024 with the Sechrests present. Both later passed away before the opening.

Facility Details and Public Statements

The shelter offers capacity for 48 dogs and 40 cats, with quarantine spaces for illnesses and significant additional capability for emergencies or disasters. It is substantially larger than the previous facility.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting included Southland Casino Hotel, Delaware North and West Memphis officials joined by members of the Sechrest family. Delaware North CEO Lou Jacobs said, “Ness and Carolyn Sechrest brought such passion and commitment to the community and worked tirelessly to bring this new shelter from vision to reality.” Jacobs added that Ness Sechrest was a trusted adviser on Southland to his father, Delaware North Chairman Jeremy Jacobs, over several decades. Jacobs also said, “I know Ness would be so proud of what we’ve done together for the community in this public-private partnership between West Memphis and Southland.”

“This is a great day for West Memphis, and I’m proud of what a strong partnership has built together,” West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said. “This new animal shelter has been needed for a long time, and thanks to our partners at Southland Casino Hotel and Delaware North, we now have a first-class facility to better care for animals in our community.”

Osi Imomoh, president and general manager of Southland Casino Hotel, said, “On behalf of our more than 1,200 team members at Southland Casino Hotel, we are grateful to play an important part in the rise of West Memphis and celebrate a new chapter of care, compassion and community with this new facility.” The project marks the latest example of Southland’s regional support, as reported by CDC Gaming.