A topping out ceremony was held on Friday to mark the putting of the last construction element at the top of the 18-story Scarlet Pearl Casino building in D’Iberville, South Mississippi.
City officials, architects, and prominent citizens toured the property to get first impressions on what would be the city’s first casino and the twelfth one in this part of the state. During the ceremony, D’Iberville Manager Bobby Eleuterius thanked the members of the Granieri family, who provided the necessary finances for the $350-million project.
Mr. Eleuterius also pointed out that the casino is a good thing for the city, as it would attract tourists and will create more than 1,200 permanent jobs for residents. City officials have been striving for opening a gambling venue for more than 20 years now.
Bob Kelly, Senior Vice President of Roy Anderson Construction, the company that was in charge of the property’s construction, promised that Scarlet Pearl Casino will be completed and launched by the end of 2015, as it had initially been planned. Mr. Kelly explained that lights have already been installed and the building is to be enclosed and air-conditioned next month.
Apart from a 167,000-square-foot casino floor, the property will also include a 4-star hotel. Among other things, guests will be given the opportunity to stay at luxurious suites on the top floor. A characteristic feature of the rooms will be the wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling glazing, as Nory Hazaveh from New York-based architectural and interior design firm described it during the Friday tour.
Guests and visitors of Scarlet Pearl Casino will also be offered a number of dining and entertainment options. An events center called The Strand will also be among the facilities the property is to feature. As for the casino, it will have 1,350 slot machines and 40 table games.
A 36-hole miniature golf course with an erupting volcano is said to be among the most highly anticipated amenities the Scarlet Pearl Casino complex will feature. Wisconsin-based theme construction company COST was hired to carry out this particular project, which was estimated to cost more than $2.5 million.
During the Friday tour, Allen Godfrey, Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, commented that he is glad the hotel and casino venue is so close to being completed. The official also pointed out that the golf course with its volcano would certainly be one of the facilities that would attract the greatest attention among visitors.
