Welcoming party - Gaming set to begin after Friday’s VIP preview
The crowd that gathered at Indiana Live! Casino for Friday's VIP preview featured plenty of big smiles, back slapping and hugging as the temporary casino opened just 113 days after breaking ground.
Following a week marked by severe storms and torrential downpours, Mother Nature provided sunny skies and a brisk wind for the ribbon cutting that was attended by state and local government officials, executives from the casino and The Cordish Company, Indiana Downs and the Indiana Gaming Commission.
The mistress of ceremonies for the ribbon cutting was the 2008 Miss Indiana USA Brittany Mason, who added a touch of Las Vegas glitz to the occasion in an open-backed cocktail dress and high heels.
Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson noted that he had "cut a lot of ribbons," but stated that the opening of the casino "will change the face of Shelbyville forever." He also pointed out the beauty of Indiana Live! and voiced his appreciation that Cordish did not skimp on the construction of the temporary facility.
Mark Hemmerle, general manager for Indiana Live!, called the facility "the newest and hottest casino in Indiana" and praised the Shelbyville city officials for their help and cooperation that allowed the fast-track construction to finish so quickly.
Joseph Weinberg, a principal in The Cordish Company, the Maryland-based real estate, gaming, entertainment, development and operations conglomerate that built the casino, also mentioned "the tremendous team effort" by Furgeson and others in the city and told the crowd that "this is just the beginning," as he motioned to the permanent casino under construction to the north of the temporary facility.
Ross Mangano, chairman and chief executive officer of Indiana Downs, owner of the casino, said that his company plans to donate part of the proceeds from Friday's gambling to the area victims of Tuesday night's storm damage. He expressed satisfaction in his company's multi-million dollar investment in the casino and the Indiana Downs racetrack, and said with a big smile "we just want everyone to have fun."
Although the Indiana Gaming Commission's job is to audit every aspect of the casino's operation during Friday's test, Ernie Yelton, executive director of IGC, seemed optimistic that the casino would receive the go-head to open to the public on Monday.
"Our responsibility," Yelton said, "is to assess Indiana Live!. They have paid an incredible amount of attention to preparation and detail." But he did caution everyone to "play responsibly."
State Sen. Bob Jackman, R-Milroy, was naturally feeling very pleased about Friday's opening and said in an interview prior to the ceremony that he was "100 percent satisfied." He believes that his hard work to pass the bill authorizing casino betting at Indiana's two horse tracks was well worth the effort because of the millions of dollars in revenue that the casino will generate.
"This is a great day for the whole region," Jackman said. "
State Rep. Sean Eberhart, R-Shelbyville, who also supported the gambling legislation, echoed Jackman's sentiments as he walked through among the flashing slot machines. He said that opening of the casino will lead to a period of "unprecedented development" and "a phenomenal ride" for Shelby County.
"They are really doing it right," Eberhart said, as he motioned around the casino.
To add to the excitement of the opening, several "living statues" worked the crowd. Virginia Mesones and Victor Piedrahita were spray painted silver and would spring to life unexpectedly when someone walked past them. Piedrahita even exchanged a few kisses with ladies in the crowd.
The Indiana Live! Angels were walking through the crowd in snug, black dresses, serving drinks and passing hors d'oeuvres prepared by Wolfgang Puck's on-site restaurant, and the "Ultimate Angel," professional model Lorraine Serafini, greeted the crowd and posed for pictures.
Although visitors from Shelby County were liberally represented at the opening, several people from the surrounding area attended the event. Randy, Cindy and Thelma Payton from Marion County vowed that they would drive to the Shelbyville casino frequently. In fact, Randy Payton said that he liked the layout of Indiana Live!, especially the location of the bar in the middle of the room. He said that his family frequently visits casinos.
"From what I can see," Randy said, "this is better than French Lick. The bar at French Lick is located all the way to the end of the room, and my drink is gone before I can walk back across the room to the slot machine that I was playing. And they don't have enough servers there to go get you something."
Bob Humbles, 64 - who prefers to be called "Big Bob" - traveled on his motorcycle from Greenfield and then used his scooter to move along the aisles of the casino. He visited the new casino at Hoosier Park earlier in the week, and Humbles said that, in his opinion, the Indiana Live! temporary facility is superior to the permanent casino in Anderson.
"Well, I won $500 there," Humbles admitted, "but I am going to spend it here."
The casino closed at 9 p.m. on Friday, and pending approval by the Indiana Gaming Commission, the casino will open to the public on Monday for patrons 21 years of age and older. The grand opening week will include fireworks on Wednesday and live bands on the outdoor stage on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.