Treasure Island Resort & Casino

Upcoming $50 Million Project

Initiative Includes Hotel, Additional Event And Conference Center And Family Fun Center

Treasure Island Resort & Casino today announced it will break ground on a $50 million project that includes 230 additional hotel rooms, an event center featuring entertainment and convention space and a family fun center. Construction begins June 1 and the project is expected to be completed in fall of 2008.

(Photo left) Performance at Treasure Island

The development includes an additional two hotel wings, featuring 230 hotel rooms, increasing Treasure Island's room count to 480 rooms. The new rooms consist of 25 suites, featuring six end-suites with the capability of becoming three or four bedrooms and 205 standard rooms.

Each room will be equipped with upscale furnishings and incorporate walk-in showers to accommodate guests. The focal feature of the hotel is the impressive illuminated sky bridge, which connects the hotel wings together. This sky bridge will maximize the scenic river views and house three suites on each floor.

In addition to the hotel project, a new 30,000 square-foot event center will allow Treasure Island to enhance entertainment options. The center includes a 2,800-seat showroom that will nearly triple the current size of the venue allowing Treasure Island to host bigger convention events as well as prominent national entertainers. The event center can break into six meeting rooms, each with a separate entrance.

"This project allows us to meet the growing needs of our hotel and convention guests," said Frank Loth, Treasure Island Resort & Casino Interim General Manager and Director of Finance. "For several years we've had to turn away many large corporate events because we haven't had the space for them. Now we'll have the capacity to host these conventions and events, which will bring new visitors and tourism dollars to the area."

Another exciting aspect of this project is the family fun center, which allows Treasure Island to create a truly unique entertainment destination. The center features a 24-lane Brunswick(TM) bowling alley, separate party rooms, snack bar, arcade and lounge area. "Upon completion, our guests will have more entertainment options," commented Loth.

"We want to accommodate our guests and continue to provide the best entertainment experience possible."
Audrey Bennett, President of the Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal 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." Over 50 new jobs will be created for Treasure Island, with a payroll and benefit package exceeding $1.5 million annually. This brings Prairie Island's total work force to over 1,600 people with an annual payroll of more than $50 million. "We are proud to partner with surrounding communities to bring tourists to this area and to continue to give back to the community in many ways."

Treasure Island is pleased to continue supporting local vendors by contracting Knutson Construction, from Rochester and RSP Architects from Minneapolis for the construction and design of the project. Treasure Island has worked with Knutson Construction on four other major projects including the construction of the hotel in 1996, the 200,000 square-foot area added to the casino in 2000, the hotel renovation in 2004 and Parlay Lounge in 2006. This is the first time Treasure Island has contracted RSP Architects. RSP has developed a reputation for delivering creative and innovative work while meeting established programs, schedules and budgets.

Dave Bastyr, Vice President and General Manager for Knutson Construction Services is pleased to be working with Treasure Island once again. Bastyr said, "This is a key project for Knutson for the next 15 months." The project will secure at least 100 new construction jobs for over a year. "We always enjoy working with Treasure Island and the Prairie Island Indian Community. Their commitment to the area is impressive and the impact is felt throughout the entire region," mentions Bastyr.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino is the only casino resort in southern Minnesota and the only facility of its kind located on the banks of the Mississippi River. Treasure Island offers guests some of the best gaming, accommodations, food service and nationally known entertainment in the casino industry. Treasure Island features over 2,500 slots, 44 table games, 10-table poker room, and 550-seat high stakes bingo hall all within seven casinos, each with a unique Caribbean theme. Currently, guests can relax in Treasure Island's luxurious 250-room hotel. Additional guest amenities include a 137-slip marina, 95-site RV-park and a 125-passenger cruise yacht.

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

Source: Treasure Island Resort & Casino
RED WING, Minn., May 22, 2007 /PRNewswire/ --