Ho-Chunk and the Forest County Potawatomi Community have announced expansion projects at their Wisconsin casinos. Ho-Chunk recently completed Phase I of Project Forward, its 3 million expansion project at Ho Chunk Casino in Baraboo, Wisconsin in the Wisconsin Dells. The work also will include expansions at the Black River Falls and Wittenberg casino. The Potawatomi announced an million, second hotel tower at its Milwaukee location.
Ho-Chunk invested $40 million in its Wisconsin Dells property said Executive Director of Business Robert Mudd. Upgrades include a new hotel main entrance and lobby, new hotel bar, poker room and off-track betting area. The casino floor has been redesigned and includes a non-smoking area, plus a renovated bingo area and an expanded buffet.
The tribe’s Wittenberg and Black River Falls casino properties also will have new hotels, a new restaurant at the Wittenberg property and an expanded and redesigned casino floor at the Black River Falls property.
About 100 additional jobs will be created, with 20 at the Dells casino and hotel, Mudd said.
Ho-Chunk Executive Manager Casey Fitzpatrick said, “I am excited about the Phase 1 expansions. The design concept from the architecture including the colors, finishes and features was inspired by the Ho-Chunk culture and regional Wisconsin Dells landscape. The gradient patterns were inspired by motion and the flow of water around this region It is really great to see the circular flow pattern around the property. It adds a distinct path around the casino gaming floor that will serve well, offering a more direct path.”
Ho-Chunk spokesman Dave Abangan added, “This is an ongoing project. We are trying to minimize the impact of the construction, making it easy for people to get to the places they need to, without distraction. We are looking forward to the full completion of the project in 2018 which will coincide with our 25th anniversary.”
The Potawatomi constructed a $97.5 million, 381-room hotel less than three years ago. Now it will add a 119-room, 180,000 square foot tower including a spa and meeting space. The new facility will add 50 more jobs to the current 2,700, said Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Chief Operating Officer Rodney Ferguson. “By adding nearly 60 suites to the property with this expansion, we’re prioritizing our casino guests and their experience when visiting. The rooms, along with the spa, will bolster the property’s reputation as an attractive destination for visitors in the region and beyond,” Ferguson said.
