Officials balk at casino plans

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000 | 10:32 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOONVILLE, Mo. -- City officials are balking at plans by the new owners of a planned casino to change its design.

Isle of Capri has closed a deal to buy rights to the Victorian Star casino, and wants to change the riverboat theme initially approved by the city to a Carribbean theme.

Isle of Capri, which plans a casino project worth $70 million to $75 million, signed a contract Thursday with Davis Gaming. Isle of Capri executive vice president Allan Solomon said the contract sets a March 31 deadline for city approval.

"For everyone concerned, the sooner the better," Solomon said. "We're prepared to move right ahead."

But Mayor Bud Kempf says he is not sure if he supports the design change.

"I'm not ready to approve it," Kempf said. "Why approve something that's so much different from what you've been working with for four years?"

Kempf says he doesn't know why Davis Gaming got out of the project.

"The plan that Davis Gaming had is absolutely gorgeous," Kempf said.

Solomon emphasized that Isle of Capri is willing to compromise on the casino's design.

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