Construction of what is expected to become Iowa’s largest hotel and casino resort is underway. Workers broke ground on the $60-million project for the construction of a casino between the two hotel towers of Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf back in May.
The gambling venue will replace the riverboat one that has been operating ever since riverboat gambling was legalized in Iowa. It, too, will be managed by gambling operator Isle of Capri Casinos.
Under the project, the north and the south hotel towers will be connected with the casino. The whole complex is to occupy 500,000 square feet of land.
Nancy Ballenger, Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf Vice President and General Manager, told media that construction is on schedule and builders will probably manage to enclose the casino by the end of December. Thus, they will be able to work inside the facility during winter months. Ms. Ballenger expressed hopes that the gambling venue, which is to turn into the heart of the whole resort, will be completed by the spring or early summer of 2016 and will be launched to replace its riverboat predecessor.
The casino will spread over 35,000 square feet and will feature 975 machines. Ms. Ballenger revealed that its design will be influenced by Iowa’s industries, incorporating various themes and elements of production, farming, machinery, etc.
Apart from the casino floor, the project also includes the addition of several food and beverage options, with a Lone Wolf bar, Farmer’s Pick Buffet, and O&H Grab N’ Go facilities being among those. Reportedly, Isle of Capri has already started talks with local producers and vendors that will provide fresh products for its dining facilities.
Here it is also important to note that in June, Isle of Capri also completed the renovation of 251 hotel rooms in the resort’s south tower. The new rooms now complement the ones at the north tower. The renovation project cost the hotel and casino company the amount of $8.5 million. Currently, the two hotel towers feature a total of 514 rooms.
Wisconsin-based Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. has been selected as the preferred contractor for the project. The company works together with Iowa and Illinois subcontractors for a 2016 opening of the hotel and casino complex.
