GRAND ISLAND — A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held to announce the construction of the new $100 million Grand Island Casino at Fonner Park on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
The new facility will include 750 slot machines and 20 tables, a 162-room hotel with a full-service salon and spa plus an indoor-outdoor pool, a gaming floor with a show lounge that features local and regional entertainment and food outlets will feature Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant and casual dining in their Draft Day Sports Lounge and family dining outlet.
Ruthie’s is Elite Casino Resorts fine dining outlet named after their mother, Ruth Kehl.
Construction of the resort is expected to take 15-17 months and the grand opening is planned for the first quarter of 2025.
A crowd braved the brisk wind and cold temperatures to witness the event. On hand to speak were State Senator Ray Aguilar, Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commissioner Shane Greckel, Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Johnson, Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak and Elite Casino Resorts CEO Dan Kehl.
Aguilar said it has taken much dedication and hard work to bring the project to fruition. He said the previous phases of the campus have already had an impact on the local economy. He said around 150-200 more jobs will be added through the new expansion.
Johnson said, “We are breaking ground on what will be Grand Island’s newest entertainment destination. Entertainment is an opportunity for us to gather…Grand Island is the perfect place.”
“These events give us an opportunity to come together and celebrate, it reminds us of the potential…the vision, when you first sought out a casino partner for Grand Island,” Johnson said.
Greckel said, “Fonner Park continues to be a driving force in Nebraska Racing and Gaming. Racing started here at this park in 1954 and continued its legacy on. In 2006, the Heartland Event Center made its home right here on the tracks. In 2010 the Nebraska State Fair came to celebrate agriculture, even more so.”
Mayor Steele said, said that Grand Island is an “Entertainment Mecca,” due to the horse racing, the Heartland Event Center and the Nebraska State Fair.
Steele said Gus Fonner’s legendary racetrack has operated since the 1950s. “I doubt Mr. Fonner could have envisioned all of the entertainment options that have been added to this campus in the last 20 years.”
Everything that has been added to the park has been a testament to the progress of Grand Island, Steele said.
Kehl said, “We are excited to have a temporary casino open but wait until you see the amenities, we offer in our permanent casino resort. We’ve put together a strong team of local contractors to partner with us on this project.”
Around 700 people will be employed by the Fonner Park campus after the resort is built, Kehl said.
Around $75 million will be generated by the resort in state and local taxes in the first five years; $9 million will go to Hall County and $11 million to the City of Grand Island, which drew applause.
“This will have a ripple effect throughout the state and the community. Now is the time for the community to think big on what this entertainment district can do,” Kehl said.
