Search

Wild Rose Casino breaks ground in Clinton

Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size

By Erin Tiesman | Monday, June 11, 2007 |

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Monday morning for The Wild Rose Casino and Resort facilities, Clinton's new land-based casino and surrounding commercial development. The project located at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Mill Creek Parkway is estimated to cost $30 million to $32 million and is expected to open in 2008. (Kevin E. Schmidt/ QUAD-CITY TIMES)

TODAY: (Updated 12:56 p.m.) CLINTON, Iowa —- Gold shovels flung dirt Monday on the site of the new Wild Rose Casino and Resort, symbolizing the transition for Clinton’s riverboat casino to a land-based resort.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by more than 200 guests from around the area.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Watch video from the ground-breaking.

 The $30 million Wild Rose Casino and Resort will be home to a 60-room hotel, themed restaurant, indoor and outdoor concert and event venue, as well as a state-of-the-art casino. The anticipated completion of the resort is mid-2008.

Tim Bollmann, Wild Rose Casino general manager, said project investors hope to see two-thirds of the traffic come from out of state and an anticipated rise in revenue.

He said the change in casino legislation has helped make the land-based casinos possible in Iowa.

“It was the right thing to do,” he said. “Now we can use the money from the water-based upkeep to maintain infrastructure, employment, and other needs.”

Though the Mississippi Belle II will close its riverfront doors after serving as the longest-running Iowa riverboat casino, Mayor LaMetta Wynn sees the opening river view as a positive attribute to the city.

“This is an exciting and long awaited time for Clinton,” Wynn said. The riverfront project also hopes to include a restaurant and further development to buildings, along with marina expansion.

The Iowa-based Wild Rose Entertainment began three years ago with its first casino opening in Emmetsburg, Iowa, in 2006.

“It’s a smooth and easy project, but it’s an involved project,” Gary Kirke, chairman and CEO of Wild Rose Entertainment, said. “The economic spin-offs will be tremendous for the community. It’s going to be everything you expect and more.”

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.

Previous Next
Share
Email
Print
 

More Stories By Erin Tiesman

Most Commented in Local * past 7 days

    (0) Comments Posted Today

    Technology News Articles
    Computers, MP3, Phones & More. See Product Pics, Specs & Reviews.
    www.NexTag.com
    2008 Diet Of The Year:
    Finally, A Diet That Really Works! Seen On CNN, NBC, CBS & Fox News.
    www.Wu-YiSource.com
    Cheap Airfare
    Compare multiple travel sites. Discount web fares made easy.
    www.LowFares.com
    Ads by Yahoo!

    Weather

    Quad Cities Weather
    27°F View Forecast
    sponsored by:
    River Levels | Closings | Flight Information
    What did you do on Black Friday?
    Out shopping as soon as the stores opened.
    Waited until the early rush crowds thinned out and then went shopping.
    Took my time and went shopping later in the day.
    Did all my shopping online.
    Spent the day doing anything BUT shopping.
    View Results

    Marketplace

    Free Time