Casino and hotel expansion project kicked off with groundbreaking ceremony
By Ken Luchterhand
A groundbreaking ceremony at Ho-Chunk Gaming – Black River Falls on Friday, September 23, marked the beginning of a new expansion project for both the casino and the hotel.
Similar ceremonies had previously been held at Wittenberg and Wisconsin Dells casino locations.
The Black River Falls location will expand to a 120-room hotel with a new entry, a bigger and redesigned casino floor with 200 more slot machines, high-limit gaming tables, a remodeled buffet with more seating and a bigger parking lot.
The projects at Black River Falls, Wittenberg and Wisconsin Dells is planned to be completed by the end of 2017. During the construction period all casinos and hotels will continue to operate as usual.
Greg Garvin opened the ceremony and Wilfrid Cleveland provided the prayer.
“I see nothing but good things coming for our people,” said Elliot Garvin, who was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. He then provided a history of the casino and the community in the location.
During the 70s the Ho-Chunk Housing Authority, predecessor to Ho-Chunk Housing and Community development (HHCDA), got funding for the area homes, giving Chloris Lowe Jr. credit for getting the funding.
“Initially, the Ho-Chunk people owned some land on a gravel pit road, then traded lands to where the casino and Sandpillow homes sit today,” Garvin said. “They designed homes and were wise enough to reserve the land by the highway for businesses.”
In the late 80s, casinos were legalized for Class 2 bingo, so they built a pole building and held bingo. Later they converted to a Class 3 casino, then opened casinos at Wisconsin Dells and Nekoosa.
“They all were brought about by the efforts of our ancestors. They have the foresight to plan ahead. In 1996, the present casino was built. Now the addition. It is the planning of our leaders that are looking out for our best interests,” he said.
“Legislature has a difficult job. I decided not to run because of the stress. Doug (Greengrass) and Lori (Pettibone) are doing a good job. It’s quite a commitment being away from family, attending conferences and meetings, rubbing elbows, all while keeping the best interest of the Nation in mind. At area meetings they get criticized and have to make tough political decisions. My thanks to Doug and Lori and other legislators.”
Robert Mudd thanked the president and the legislature, former president Jon Greendeer, all the people in Business Department who, over the years, made the addition and renovations possible, including Brian Decorah, Jon Warner, Bill Lowe, Sandy G., Jim Webster, Greg Garvin and Fletcher Collins, Rob Reider and Scott Maracek. He recognized Rep. Pettibone and Rep. Greengrass present at the ceremony.
Harry Corken, project manager of Hill International, the construction management firm, said he has worked in all parts of the world and now has selected to work at this project.
“This is a momentous occasion, folks. The groundbreaking is a new era for the casino,” he said. “It has taken the team three years to get where we are today,” Corken said. “We hope we exceed everyone's expectations.”
Tim Kippenhan of Miron Construction asked for patience, that there are many challenges ahead, and that a number of challenges have to be accomplished in a short amount of time.
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