The Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino, situated in East Hazel Crest, is steadily nearing completion, with a target opening date in the summer of 2024. Roger Kuehn, the executive vice president and general manager of the casino, shared updates with the Chicago Tribune, noting significant progress in the construction phase.
What You Need to Know
- The casino’s anticipated opening is set for between July and September 2024, while previous expectations were amended to a 2025 launch.
- A notable feature is a 16-story, 252-room hotel, initially planned as a 21-story tower but reduced due to steel costs.
- Construction is advancing on the 73,000-square-foot casino area.
Kuehn explained that the building is expected to be “under roof” before the winter, a critical milestone for the project located southwest of the Interstate 80 and Halsted Street interchange. The steel framework for the hotel is nearing completion, marking a big step towards the project’s finalization.
The project’s timeline, initially projected for late summer or early fall of 2024, remains on track, with Kuehn suggesting a third-quarter opening as a realistic expectation. The construction has been aided by favorable weather, extending the outdoor building season and facilitating timely progress.
Once the casino structure is enclosed, which is expected by early January, the focus will shift to interior works like plumbing, electrical, and computer systems. The hotel is expected to open a few months after the casino starts operating.
The casino is set to enhance the local economy significantly. Spanning East Hazel Crest and Homewood, it will contribute to the revenue of 42 south suburban communities. The casino will feature 1,350 slot machines, 56 table games, a 13,000-square-foot buffet area, and a 10,000-square-foot entertainment space.
Owned by Wind Creek, a subsidiary of PCI Gaming Authority Inc. and managed for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the project is poised to create approximately 800 permanent jobs. Recruitment is already in motion, with job fairs planned a couple of months before the opening, and possibly another closer to the launch date.
The post Summer 2024 Set for Wind Creek Casino Revised Opening appeared first on iGaming.org.