(Emmetsburg)– Construction on Iowa’s newest casino is officially underway.
Over a hundred people gathered east of Emmetsburg Friday to witness the official groundbreaking for the 35.4 million dollar Wild Rose Casino and Resort.
Wild Rose Entertainment is owend by Iowa businessmen Gary Kirke and Mike Richards. Kirke, who owns a home in the Iowa Great Lakes, says they picked Emmetsburg as the site of their newest casino mainly because of the proximity to one of Iowa’s major tourist areas.
Wild Rose Entertainment L-L-C was one of four companies approved May 11th for a riverboat license by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
The casino will be built on 90 acres of what’s currently a corn field along Highway 18 just adjacent to a car dealership just east of Emmetsburg. A 10-acre lake will be constructed for the 28-thousand square foot riverboat-style casino along with a 65-room hotel with seven suites, meeting rooms, ballroom, pool and health club; along with an irish pub and 100-space R-V park.
The casino is scheduled to open in July of 2006.
