TAMA, Iowa - Against a backdrop of the blazing sun and a towering crane, Meskwaki officials and contractors Thursday staged a ceremonial ground-breaking for a $111 million expansion of the Meskwaki Bingo-Casino-Hotel. Once complete, the addition will more than double the square footage at the gaming operation.

"When we are finished, this will be the finest facility in Iowa and the central Midwest," said Brad Hornburg, project manager with Landmark, Inc., of St. Louis.

Plans call for constructing a nine-story hotel with 200 rooms, 15 luxury suites, a spa and lobby. Once that opens, the tribe will begin renovations on the existing 206-room facility. At the same time, contractors are also building a second gaming area and adding a convention center. In the spring when construction is complete, contractors will begin renovating the existing gaming space.

During the height of construction, contractors will employ 475 people.

Once open, the facility will add about 400 employees to the 1,150 already working full time.

Ray Young Bear, secretary of the Meskwaki Tribal Council, said 15 years ago he and a group of artists requested ownership of a red barn on the hill leading to the casino. The artists hoped to turn the structure into an art gallery.

"While that plan became elusive, I sometimes think in retrospect --- now that I humbly serve this tribal community as a councilman --- that no artists' dreams could ever conceptualize what is about to happen here today," he said.

Young Bear said the red barn symbolically made way for the casino complex. And he said the expansion will diversify economic opportunities for the tribe.

Since the opening of the first casino New Year's Eve 2002, revenues have been used to establish economic stability for the tribe. Tribal members receive about $1,700 a month per capita after federal taxes. Casino profits also go toward building homes.

Despite the timing of the expansion, casino general manager Dan Stromer said updating the facility is not about competing with Iowa's expanding gambling facilities, but about continuing the tribe's vision.

"This has been on the drawing board for several years," Stromer said.

He added the improved facility will attract people from across the state and nation. A new pool, four restaurants, expanded bingo seating and a convention center are some of the amenities that will be available when the Meskwaki dedicate the expansion about a year from now.

Stromer said the gaming operation is being called Iowa's only full-service casino because of the types of games offered and amenities: People check in, gamble, take in a show and eat without leaving the complex. No other gaming facility in the state offers the same, he said.

Future plans include building a 500-car parking garage, golf course and hiking trails.

Tribal member Alvin Bear on Thursday offered a blessing for the ground, closing the ceremonial celebration. Before commencing, he also offered a warning that Meskwaki legends foretold what was happening.
Bear said elders pass on the stories so the Meskwaki people are careful and that plans are well-considered.

"So we could make sure they don't get out of hand," Bear said.