Officials at Hard Rock Casino Rockford in Illinois said they still are interested in purchasing part of the former Elliot Golf Course adjacent to where the 180,000-square-foot casino and entertainment venue is being built.
Hard Rock Rockford President Geno Iafrate told the Rock River Current, “The overall goal is anything we do in that corridor right there, we want it to be complimentary to the casino and ultimately drive additional visitation to the casino.”
The Rockford Park District closed the 220-acre course as a money-saving measure in late 2020 and listed it for sale in 2022. Recently, commissioners at the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County said Severson Dells Nature Center may want to use part of the land and the clubhouse for a future education center.
Iafrate said Hard Rock is in talks with the Park District and Severson Dells about purchasing some of the golf-course acreage. He told the Current, “Hopefully it can all work out for everybody involved and we’re able to acquire some additional acreage on Lyford Road.”
Hard Rock currently has no firm plans for the property. It’s leasing the clubhouse for employee training and parking. Iafrate said, “There’s so many different possibilities, we’re just not at a point in that process to say anything is even remotely firm.”
According to Park District deed restrictions, the land cannot be used as a golf course or water park.
A limited liability corporation associated with Dan Fischer, the lead investor in the Rockford casino, also owns a 24-acre parcel that touches the golf course property and potentially could help the casino increase its land holdings.
