Casino news from http://desmoinesregister.com/
September 28, 2006
The Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque said today it plans to build a new $50 million casino complex in the city's Ice Harbor along the Mississippi river.
The new casino is part of a larger project with the Dubuque Historical Society that will include retail, educational and entertainment components, local officials said.
The Diamond Jo is contributing $12 million in cash and land for the project, and the Historical Society's plans will also receive financing from federal, local and state grants, and private gifts.
A RiverMax Theater will be constructed adjacent to the city's current Mississippi River Museum. The $8 million theater complex will include a 250-seat theater, where 3D/4D movies will be shown, and a retail outlet. It will be the only large-format theater in Dubuque.
The Great Rivers Center will be located in the city's former Welcome Center and what is now the Diamond Jo's Portside Building. The center will have galleries, the National Rivers Center, the Rivers Research Center, and storefront retail outlets.
The Diamond Jo will construct a new, 35,000 square-foot-casino in the area just north of Third Street in the Ice Harbor. The complex will include more than 1,000 slot machines, 17 table games, a poker room, 36 lanes for bowling, and three restaurants.
The land-based complex, which is permitted under Iowa's revised riverboat gambling laws, will replace the existing Diamond Jo riverboat that floats in the Ice Harbor, said Diamond Jo spokeswoman Carrie Tedore. She said the new complex is expected to open in the spring of 2008.
"Now we have the complete package; hotel, casino, bowling, waterpark, and museum all working together to bring additional visitors to Dubuque," said Natalie Schramm, general manager of the Diamond Jo, which is owned by Dubuque-based Peninsula Gaming.
Jerry Enzler, executive director of the Dubuque County Historical Society, said the plans will provide the land and facilities both the society and the casino need to expand.
"The Diamond Jo's generosity will help the Mississippi River Museum and the surrounding community reach our tremendous potential. Our campus will now stretch along the banks of the Mississippi, which, of course, is the most desirable location for us."
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