Casino expansion begins

Friday, May 27, 2005 | 9:50 a.m.

The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe launched a $20 million casino expansion Thursday, calling it the largest construction project ever in Forest County and an improvement that will create 100 new jobs.

"It is an exciting day for the Potawatomi and Forest County," Tribal Chairman Harold "Gus" Frank said during a traditional ground blessing ceremony.

He said the project will provide 150 construction jobs and a payroll of $8 million for the short term while increasing tourism in the area for years.

The new Northern Lights Casino will include a new poker room and sports bar and lounge, a larger bingo hall and more space for slot machines and food services, he said. It will connect to the Potawatomi Indian Springs Lodge, next to a new 60-space recreational vehicle campground.

The current casino was built 14 years ago as a temporary pole building to house bingo, the tribe said.

Cheryl Waube, the casino's general manager, said the new wood and brick facility will be bigger and better, offering a better gaming and entertainment experience for the 400,000 people who visit it annually.