Jackpot Junction plans expansion

MORTON, Minn. -- The Lower Sioux Indian Community has announced plans to break ground in August for a casino addition and renovation project at its Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton. The cost of the project was not disclosed.

The project is designed by Walsh Bishop Design LLC. Loeffler Construction & Consulting of Lakeville is the contractor. Completion is estimated in December 2014.

The project consists of constructing a new addition to the facility and renovating the existing Portside and Classic Casinos. The addition would be built to replace the existing Skyline Casino and Bingo Hall, including the supporting back of house in those areas.

Another important part of the project is using a portion of the existing Dacotah Exposition Center to create new second level suites that open to the Exposition Center.

Once the addition is built and operating, the existing Skyline Casino and Bingo buildings will be removed. This will allow for a new main entry to the casino and will create a more open, spacious and exciting experience for guests, according to a casino spokesman.

A new entry drive will direct traffic toward the front door and allow guests to pull off into separate parking areas for the hotel and casino or pull under a large canopy at the new main entrance of the casino.

Some of the highlights are an expanded gaming floor that creates a more consolidated layout; 60-seat center bar as a facility focal point; 225-seat bingo hall with 75-seat non-smoking area; in-floor displacement ventilation system; 160-seat sports bar and entertainment venue; centrally located players club and cashiers; highly visible promotions area; and new Dacotah Exposition Center entry.

"As you know, the existing casino complex has served the community well, creating employment and allowing the tribe to improve the lives of our members," said Jackpot Junction General Manager Brian Pendleton.

"However, portions of the casino are nearly 30 years old, dating back to the original bingo hall, resulting in an outdated facility and infrastructure. Larger, more open floor plan and improved ventilation system, which will greatly improve the air quality, are just a few of the new offerings to maintain our competitive position in the local southwestern Minnesota market," he said.

Reported by:  Prairiebizmag.com