CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Construction crews are entering the final 100 days before the Isle Casino in Cape Girardeau open to the public. The general manager tells Local 6 it is on target to open Nov. 1, two months ahead of schedule.
"The casino itself is over 41,000 square feet," said Chet Koch.
He's watching another casino come to life.
"This is my 14th casino opening. I've been in the casino business now just over 30 years," he said.
He's the general manager of Isle Casino and he's in charge of the look and feel of the city's newest attraction.
"The casino complex will be able to support 1,000 slot machines and 20 table games," he said.
Koch was brought on board in January and since then, he said he's hit the ground running, with the ultimate goal of building what he said the community deserves.
"We've been able to bring something to the city that they've wanted and it's been a great experience," Koch said.
Things were going so great, it was announced earlier this year the casino would open two months early.
"It's going to be a great time. It's a celebration, both here in Cape Girardeau as well as Isle of Capri," he said.
He's hoping the city wins big and he expects more than a million visitors each year.
"The facility itself is going to be fantastic," he said with a smile.
In addition to the 40 on-site workers, the casino will employ about 530 full-time and part-time employees. Koch said besides the city landing the casino, he's most proud of the jobs this project is creating.
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