"We told the gaming commission this would be a full-bodied destination resort, and it's that kind of experience that will attract visitors from a long way," says Mohammed Lawal, principal of the project's designer, Minneapolis-based KKE Architects. Spanning more than 7,200 yards, Lawal tells GlobeSt.com the grounds will showcase man-made lakes, diverse terrain, riverview vistas, a full-service golf clubhouse, retail shop and teaching/practice facilities.
A 1,200-seat multi-purpose center will set the backdrop for concerts, conferences and large family celebrations, and a 58,000-sf single-level gaming floor will accommodate up to 1,400 slot machines, 24 blackjack tables, four craps tables, three roulette tables and a 10-table poker room. Accented with high ceilings and dramatic lighting effects, the casino also will host an elevated center bar with an overhead fountain. Food-service facilities will include a fine-dining steakhouse serving up to 70 visitors, a 356-seat buffet, a 24-hour diner with 60 seats and an ice cream/coffee shop. Further, the property will house a 141,000-sf, 200-room hotel.
Lawal tells GlobeSt.com the biggest challenges of the project included getting all the components of the project into the site, as well as emulating Iowa's riverboat history into a modern design. Revenue generated in the casino's first year is estimated to reach $83 million. The site is expected to open in the fall of 2006.
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