Representatives of Castle Rock Casino Resort submitted their application Thursday to the Kansas Lottery Commission to build a $145 million premier Las Vegas-style casino resort in Cherokee County.
“We’re confident we’ve put forth the best plan both to bring an ultimate entertainment and dining destination and to generate needed revenue for the state of Kansas and for local governments in southeast Kansas,” partner Brandon Steven said. “We’re optimistic that the state of Kansas will agree and choose our proposal.”
Designed to attract people from Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, the casino resort will be located less than a mile north of I-44 directly on U.S. 400, prime location for a casino.
Not only will the casino feature a full-service hotel, several restaurants including a first-class steakhouse, hip lounges and bars and a high-energy sports bar, but the complex will also include substantial meeting space capable of hosting small, intimate gatherings as well as large-scale conferences. A 5,000- to 6,000-seat entertainment arena is also in the works to be the home of a professional hockey franchise in addition to hosting headline concerts and other large events.
The Castle Rock group worked with Las Vegas-based Friedmutter Group to develop casino architecture and a master plan. Friedmutter has worked with such well-known organizations as the Cosmopolitan, Caesars, Station Casinos, MGM Resorts, Ritz Carlton and Hard Rock Casinos. Cherokee County-based Crossland Construction would build the project. The global firm WhiteSand Gaming serves as lead consultant.
Initial studies indicate the casino would generate millions of dollars in tax revenue while creating hundreds of new jobs.