The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission today gave approval for the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs to proceed with plans for a 100 million dollar expansion. Ameristar Vice President for Government Affairs, Troy Stremming, presented the plan to the commission at their meeting today in Johnston.
Stremming says the project will add 38,500 feet of gambling space, along with 600 new slot machines. He estimates the expanded space will add 100 new jobs to the casino. Stermming says the expansion is needed due to growth and potential growth. Stremming says they’re experiencing capacity issues on weekends, particularly weekend nights, and they believe there’s room for more customers.
Teresa Meyer, the casino general manager, says this project give them more elbow room. Meyer says this expansion will double the casino square footage, but they will only add about 40-percent more games to give players more room. Meyer says they also plan a coffer dam around the boat to help deal with changes in the water level. She says the dam will allow them to control the water level and maintain the boat at a constant and stable level next to the land facility.
Meyer says they’ll build a single level platform that will surround and enclose part of the casino boat. The plan also includes adding a parking garage and improving the access from the current parking garage. It also includes upgrades on the interior of the facility. The plan is to complete the expansion by mid 2009. The photo above shows an artist’s rendering of what the changes will look like.