Ribbon cutting kicks off launch of new Grand Island Casino Resort | 1340 KGFW

GRAND ISLAND – Hundreds of people gathered at the entrance to the $185 million Grand Island Casino Resort for the ribbon cutting for the casino to mark the opening of the completed building.

“Today we celebrate the opening of Grand Island Casino Resort,” said General Manager Vince Fiala, who served as the emcee to introduce the five people who spoke.

Fiala said that without Fonner Park and horseracing, “We wouldn’t be here.”

He said the day was about traditions, and a new one was beginning.

Chris Kotulak, CEO of Fonner Park, said that in November 2020, he realized that a casino would be locating at Fonner Park. Proposals from eight casinos were reviewed.
“Elite Casino Resorts did it right,” Kotulak said. The casino is present for the horses and the horsemen, he said.

Without horseracing, there would be no casino, Kotulak noted.

Mayor Roger Steele said that more than 400 jobs were created because of the casino. He said that the new jobs were for hardworking people. Specialized training in hospitality management occurred.

The mayor said that new careers would be built at the casino. The casino makes Grand Island “a premier destination.” Grand Island “Is a city on the rise.”

“Let’s celebrate this milestone together,” he said. He wants people to “keep making Grand Island the best it can be.”

Casey Ricketts is executive director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. He said the Grand Island casino was the first in the state to offer table games. He noted that without horse racing, there would be no casinos.

Chris Stinson of Grand Island is a commissioner for the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. He called the casino “one of the nicest places.”

“I’m really glad we have casinos now,” Stinson said. He said not only can casinos survive, but they can thrive.

Dan Kehl is CEO of Elite Casino Resorts. According to their website, the Kehl family business started in the 1960s when Bob and Ruth Kehl bought a café in Dubuque, Iowa. By the 1970s, they had purchased a 150-passenger steamwheeler for dinner cruises. The Kehls were originally opposed to gambling on the rivers when the Iowa Legislature considered the issue in the 1980s because of the threat to their riverboat business.

In 1990, the Kehls were granted the first riverboat gambling license in Iowa. Now, Elite Casino Resorts owns five casinos.

Kehl thanked all of the contractors “who poured their heart and soul into this building.”

He said that the casino has 425 employees.

“We are part of the communities where we operate,” Kehl said.

Kehl acknowledged that the “matriarch” of Elite Casino Resorts, Ruth Kehl, was present for the ribbon cutting.

After the ribbon cutting, Fiala said that the casino will have “millions of dollars” impact on Grand Island. He said a few more employees would be added in the summer for the casino’s outdoor pool, and noted that the casino’s spa was not open yet.

Fiala said that approximately 100 contractors were involved in construction of the casino, and Baxter Construction of Iowa was the general contractor.

“This is the first day of many days of entertainment at the Grand Island Casino Resort,” Fiala said.

Jaime Parr is executive director of the Nebraska State Fair.

“This is huge for our community,” Parr said. “I’m very excited.”

Parr is pleased that there is conference space in the casino “that will serve our community well.

The casino features a 164 room hotel and four dining options.

Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood, named after Ruth Kehl, gives guests a rooftop dining experience.

The restaurant is on the seventh floor of the casino. The lobby leading to the restaurant is on the west side of the building. From that area, views of the buildings on the State Fair grounds are visible, as well as views of south Grand Island and downtown Grand Island. From the south side of the restaurant, there is a view of the racetrack at Fonner Park.
“22 and Vine” is a family dining restaurant. Also, Draft Day Sports Lounge is an option. Visitors will also have an option for “grab and go” food.

The casino has a banquet area that can seat up to 200 people. There are indoor and outdoor pools. The casino features 750 slot machines and 20 live table games.
From Sports Book, people can place sports bets and view sports events on large screens.

A number of lavish features are on the first floor of the building, including a chandelier in the lobby of the casino and a “bubble wall” resembling a fountain.

Casino games are available in a separate room where smoking is allowed.