Get sneak peek at new Iowa casino
JEFFERSON, Iowa — A new casino in Jefferson is taking shape as crews complete enough work for company officials to offer the media a sneak preview of the building Monday.
The 18,000 square foot casino is being built along Highway 30.
"The roof is on the walls are up, we are able to make good progress on the exterior of the facility," said Mike Couch, general manager of the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson.
Couch said that Wild Rose is worrying about what it can and needs to do to be successful and will not waste a lot of time battling a casino that is a few counties away. His focus is on getting everything done for the Aug. 1st.
The casino will have 525 slot machines and 14 table games. It will also bring 250 new jobs to the area.
Management at the casino said they are positive the facility will become a vacation destination for Iowa.
"It is extremely important people in this market and day and age are looking for 100 percent packed entertainment - they have it all here," said Aaron Harn, marketing director of the casino.
Harn boasts that a so far unnamed Grammy Award winner I scheduled to perform during the grand opening weekend. He also is confident a casino game based on the very popular Ellen DeGeneres will pay dividends.
"It is a new exciting game. A lot of Ellen fans out there will enjoy her brand and fun," said Harn.
Area residents that KCCI spoke with are hopeful but wary of what a popular casino will mean for their small town.
"It is nice. It is a place a lot of people could go. It could help the community grow and expand," said Randy Downey of Carroll.
"I have mixed feelings. I think it is going to be good for the community, but I don't know what kind of other issues it will bring in," said Brian Menz of Jefferson.
Menz said only time will tell.
About 40 percent of the jobs at the new casino have already been filled. You can find open job listings at http://wildroseresorts.com/careers
Casino officials said its set to open Aug. 1 with a grand opening the weekend of Aug. 7-8
The 18,000 square foot casino is being built along Highway 30.
"The roof is on the walls are up, we are able to make good progress on the exterior of the facility," said Mike Couch, general manager of the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson.
Couch said that Wild Rose is worrying about what it can and needs to do to be successful and will not waste a lot of time battling a casino that is a few counties away. His focus is on getting everything done for the Aug. 1st.
The casino will have 525 slot machines and 14 table games. It will also bring 250 new jobs to the area.
Management at the casino said they are positive the facility will become a vacation destination for Iowa.
"It is extremely important people in this market and day and age are looking for 100 percent packed entertainment - they have it all here," said Aaron Harn, marketing director of the casino.
Harn boasts that a so far unnamed Grammy Award winner I scheduled to perform during the grand opening weekend. He also is confident a casino game based on the very popular Ellen DeGeneres will pay dividends.
"It is a new exciting game. A lot of Ellen fans out there will enjoy her brand and fun," said Harn.
Area residents that KCCI spoke with are hopeful but wary of what a popular casino will mean for their small town.
"It is nice. It is a place a lot of people could go. It could help the community grow and expand," said Randy Downey of Carroll.
"I have mixed feelings. I think it is going to be good for the community, but I don't know what kind of other issues it will bring in," said Brian Menz of Jefferson.
Menz said only time will tell.
About 40 percent of the jobs at the new casino have already been filled. You can find open job listings at http://wildroseresorts.com/careers
Casino officials said its set to open Aug. 1 with a grand opening the weekend of Aug. 7-8
