New Casino Hits Construction Milestone
(photo courtesy Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is celebrating a key point in the construction of the Four Winds Casino in South Bend. The group held a topping out ceremony this week, placing the final steel beam on what will be a 175,000 square-foot venue.
Officials say they have passed the halfway point of construction on the $400 million casino and tribal village. In addition to the casino, the development will include a 500-room hotel, a tribal services hub and nearly four dozen tribal housing units.
"With each stage of our construction timeline, there’s an element of symbolism," said John Warren, chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. "Setting this final steel beam in place signifies the completion of a major phase of construction. We’re more than halfway through the process and are on pace to be ready to open in early 2018. It’s truly something to celebrate."
When complete, the casino will feature 1,800 slot machines, five restaurants, three bars, a player’s lounge, retail outlet and an enclosed parking structure. Officials say the venue will employ about 1,200 people and, to date, 300 construction jobs have been created.