Treasure Island Resort & Casino announced today that it will begin construction on a $50 million project that includes 230 hotel rooms, an event center featuring entertainment and convention spaces, and a family play center.

Construction will begin on June 1, and the project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2008.

The development includes an additional two hotel wings that feature 230 hotel rooms, raising the number of rooms on Treasure Island to 480. The new rooms consist of 25 suites that feature six final suites and 205 standard rooms, which can be three or four bedrooms. Each room is furnished with luxury furniture and incorporates a large shower to accommodate guests. The focus of the hotel is an impressive, illuminated sky bridge that connects the hotel wings together. This sky bridge maximizes views of the scenic river and has three suites on each floor.

In addition to the hotel project, the new 30,000-square-foot event center will allow Treasure Island to enhance its entertainment options. The center will include a 2,800-seat showroom, nearly three times the size of the current venue, allowing Treasure Island to host larger convention events and famous national entertainers. The event center can be divided into six conference rooms, each with a separate entrance.

“This project enables us to meet the growing demand of hotel and convention visitors,” said Frank Ross, interim general manager and finance director for Treasure Island Resort & Casino. “For years we had to turn down a lot of big corporate events because we didn’t have space for them. Now we will have the ability to host these conventions and events, which will bring new visitors and tourism dollars to the region.”

Another interesting aspect of the project is the Family Fun Center, which allows Treasure Island to create a truly unique entertainment destination. The center features a 24-lane Brunswick bowling alley, a separate party room, a snack bar, an arcade, and lounge area. “When completed, guests will have more entertainment options,” Lott said. “We want to accommodate our guests and continue to provide the best entertainment experience.”

Audrey Bennett, president of the Prairie Island Indian Community Tribe Council, is excited about the economic impact this will have on the region. “This project is an investment that will secure Treasure Island’s status as a premier entertainment destination and a leading contributor to the local economy.” More than 50 new jobs will be created for Treasure Island, with salary and benefits packages exceeding $1.5 million per year. This has resulted in more than 1,600 people with annual salaries of over $50 million securing the total workforce for Prairie Island. “We are proud to work with the surrounding community to attract tourists to the region and continue to give back to the community in many ways.”

Treasure Island is pleased to continue supporting local vendors by signing a contract with Knutson Construction in Rochester to RSP Architects in Minneapolis for the construction and design of the project. Treasure Island has worked with Knutson Construction on four major projects: hotel construction in 1996, the addition of 200,000 square feet to the casino in 2000, hotel renovation in 2004, and Farrellay Lounge in 2006. This is the first time Treasure Island has signed with RSP Architects. RSP has gained a reputation for delivering creative and innovative work while meeting established programs, schedules, and budgets.

Dave Bastyr, vice president and general manager of Knutson Construction Services, is excited to work with Treasure Island once again. Bastyr said, “This is an important project for Knutson over the next 15 months.” The project will secure at least 100 new construction jobs over the course of more than a year. “We always enjoy working with Treasure Island and Prairie Island Indian Community. Their dedication to the region is impressive and their impact is felt throughout the region,” Bastyr notes.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino is the only casino resort in southern Minnesota and the only facility located on the banks of the Mississippi River. Treasure Island provides guests with the best gaming, accommodation, food service, and home-known entertainment. Treasure Island has more than 2,500 slots, 44 table games, 10 table poker rooms, and 550-seat Go-Paid Bingo Hall inside seven casinos, each with a unique Caribbean theme. Currently, guests can relax in Treasure Island’s luxurious 250-room hotel. Additional guest amenities include 137 slip marinas, 95 RV-parks, and a cruise yacht that can accommodate 125 passengers. 슬롯게임

The Prairie Island Indian Community owns and operates Treasure Island Resort & Casino, located just south of Hastings, Minnesota. The tribe, the largest employer in Good Hue County, employs more than 1,600 team members and generates more than $14 million in annual state and federal taxes. Since 1994, the tribe and casino have donated more than $14 million to many civic and nonprofit organizations.