Rural Larchwood, Iowa — Construction is officially underway on a ten-million-dollar expansion of Grand Falls Resort and Casino near Larchwood.
Ground was broken on Tuesday for the project by casino management officials, construction contractors, county dignitaries, and members of the nonprofit license-holder for the casino, the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation. Casino officials say the $10 million breaks down to $8.5 for the hotel expansion and $1.5 million for casino upgrades.
They tell us the renovation and expansion will include the addition of 66 hotel rooms with an elevated corridor overlooking the outdoor pool and pool deck; additional RV campsites; the conversion of the Show Lounge into a new Sportsbook; and the expansion of the Center Bar into the Center Stage, a musical entertainment destination featuring local and regional musical artists.
The renovation and expansion will bring the total number of hotel rooms to 163.
Dan Kehl, CEO of Grand Falls and of Elite Casino Resorts says the expansion will allow them to continue their commitment to northwest Iowa and the tri-state area. He says the new hotel wing will have four stories, and they hope to open it by Memorial Day Weekend, 2020.
He tells us his feelings on the groundbreaking.
Kehl says that he’s pleased about how things have been going for Grand Falls.
He tells us about one of his favorite features of the project.
Jerry Keizer, who is the president of the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation says that the expansion is an exciting opportunity for the towns, schools, and government of Lyon County. Lyon County District Supervisor Josh Feucht says that this is another step toward making Lyon County great. He thanked Grand Falls for their continued investment in the county.
Construction officials with the general contractor for the project, Baxter Construction, who was the general contractor for the original project says that this will mean construction jobs for many local people during the projected eight-month project.
Photos by Scott Van Aartsen, KIWA News
