Ho-Chunk Gaming Dells celebrates grand re-opening
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, fireworks show and other fun activities are scheduled to celebrate the completion of 18-months of renovations on May 11 at Ho-Chunk Gaming in Baraboo and the public is welcome to attend.
The $50 million Project Forward Grand Re-opening will showcase: a new buffet, grill, bingo hall, smoke-free and VIP gaming areas, gift shop, hotel lobby, main entrance and new furniture and décor.
The Stand Rock Buffet was relocated from the second-floor to the first-floor, right across from the brand-new grill and bingo hall. A fire-brick pizza oven was added to the buffet line-up, along with rotisserie chicken and action stations. The action stations provide guests with fresh meals cooked right in front of them.
“Fresh is best,” said Casey Fitzpatrick, executive general manager of Ho-Chunk Gaming in Baraboo. “Our action stations allow your meals to be cooked right before your eyes;” he said. “It also helps to reduce waste and our impact on the environment.”
Most, if not all, the changes made to the casino were with the guests and environment in mind, said both Fitzpatrick and Dave Abangan, senior manager of public relations for Ho-Chunk Gaming in Baraboo.
For example, the casino doubled its non-smoking gaming capacity in response to guest feedback, despite that Ho-Chunk Nation is exempt from the Wisconsin indoor smoking ban since it’s a sovereign nation, Abangan said. The new non-smoking area even has a separate air-filtration system to allow casino guests a completely smoke-free gaming experience, said Fitzpatrick.
In another effort to improve customers’ experiences, many new games have been added to the gaming floor, including electronic versions of blackjack and craps. Additionally, a new VIP lounge was also included in the gaming-floor update. It provides privacy for the high-rollers who prefer to spend more money than the average person and get a higher-caliber of service; however, the VIP lounge is open to all gamers, Abangan said.
The renovated hotel lobby is also open to all gamers, plus their families, and it features a new elevator. The hotel itself was not updated in the latest round of construction; however, it already offers 300 modernized rooms for families to find a home-away-from-home and there’s even a swimming pool. And just in case anyone forgets any toiletries, the new gift shop will sell some along with logo merchandise and sundries, Abangan said.
The casino is open 24 hours a day and closes only for Christmas Eve and half of Christmas day. Otherwise, you can always find customers enjoying the 1,600 machines and table games available.
“People come every day. Some of them work second or third shift and they’ll come in after work; the hours fit with their lifestyle,” Abangan said.
Guests must be a minimum of 18 years old to enter the casino and 21 years old to gamble. There is an on-site daycare available at an hourly rate for the children. However, 18 years old is the minimum age to enjoy a game of classic bingo or electronic bingo in the new bingo hall.
It was with one bingo hall that Ho-Chunk Nation entered the gaming business about 35 years ago. Now, the sovereign nation owns six casinos across Wisconsin and has a payroll of $34.8 million in Sauk County alone, Fitzpatrick said.
Although the latest round of construction is coming to a close and all the major renovations are complete, the hotel is always a work a progress, Abangan said. “We always want to make sure that we have the latest and greatest games and technology on the floor;” he said. “We always want to deliver what the guests want.”
It is for these guests that the casino is hosting a weekend-long celebration commemorating the completion of the renovations. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. on May 11 in the new hotel lobby.
Source: Wiscnews.com
