By By Adrienne McKenzie
The sun came out in the nick of time as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the city of Atmore rejoiced reaching the highest point of construction on the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel by hoisting a beam to the top of the structure at Thursday afternoon’s Topping Out Celebration.
In Thursday’s ceremony held at the Creek Casino, Tribal chairman Buford L. Rolin spoke positively about the impact Wind Creek will have not only on the city of Atmore, but also the state of Alabama, before ordering placement of the final beam.
Wind Creek will be responsible for providing more than 900 direct jobs for citizens of Alabama and surrounding areas. Additional jobs will be created because of related services and industries, including suppliers and vendors who will hire new individuals.
The Wind Creek Topping Out Celebration featured many knowledgeable facts about the new structure given by Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority president and CEO James T. Martin, CIE board chairman Ronnie Smith, PCI Gaming Authority president and CEO Jay Dorris and PCI Gaming Board chairman Keith Martin.
According to plan, the first portion of the $250 million project is the completion of the casino, which is scheduled for opening during December. The hotel will open during the spring of 2009.
Guests at the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel will enjoy:
Those in attendance at the Topping Out Celebration not only learned what the new facility has to offer, but were also entertained with singing by Megan Young and a youth cultural presentation by the Poarch Creek Pow-Wow Club.
The evening was concluded with a guided tour of the facility.
Brown Chambless serves as the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel project architect and Flintco/Martin serves as project contractor. Cagley &Tanner Design of Las Vegas, Nev., will handle interior design.