In the American state of Illinois and the Wind Creek Hospitality enterprise of the federally-recognized Poarch Band of Creek Indians reportedly broke ground last week on what is to become its 252-room Wind Creek Chicago Southland enterprise.

According to a Tuesday report from the online news domain at Patch.com, this $440 million gambling-friendly property is now taking shape on a 24-acre parcel of land situated on the border between the southern Chicago suburbs of East Hazel Crest and Homewood in hopes of opening by the autumn of next year. The source detailed that this venue will eventually feature three restaurants, two bars and an indoor pool and spa facility as well as a 69,190 sq ft casino marketed under the Four Diamond Casino moniker offering1,350 slots and 56 gaming tables.

Promising portfolio:

Alabama-based Wind Creek Hospitality is reportedly already responsible for a trio of tribal casinos in its home state in addition to Pennsylvania’s giant Wind Creek Bethlehem development and the Wa She Shu Casino and Travel Plaza in Nevada. The operator purportedly saw off stiff competition in December to win the exclusive right from the Illinois Gaming Board to bring Las Vegas-style gambling to a site in the southern Chicago suburbs.

Bountiful benefits:

Stephanie Bryan serves as the Tribal Chair for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and she reportedly disclosed that the completed Wind Creek Chicago Southland development is expected to provide full-time employment for up to 800 people after creating 600 temporary construction jobs. The operator purportedly moreover noted that the coming venue will share any resultant revenues with the state and surrounding townships while establishing the Southland Public Benefit Fund to distribute $150,000 every year until 2029 and $1 million annually thereafter to a range of local recipients including South Suburban College, Prairie State College and Moraine Valley Community College.

Bryan reportedly stated…

“We’re so very thankful for the support of community leaders, local organizations and residents of the south suburbs who helped get us to this point and look forward to working with you to ensure that the benefits associated with this project are experienced by the entire region.”

Initial interruptions:

For his part and the President and Chief Executive Officer for Wind Creek Hospitality, Jay Dorris, reportedly divulged that the original construction schedule for the coming Wind Creek Chicago Southland property was delayed by almost a year owing to planning setbacks and supply chain issues associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, the experienced executive purportedly explained that he is now hopeful of being able to soft launch the development by September of 2023.

A statement from Dorris reportedly read…

“Our commitment to this community has already begun and will only be strengthened as we move our focus to job creation and finalizing the details of the Southland Public Benefit Fund. People across the ‘Southland’ have been waiting for this casino and the community investment that comes along with it and we’re happy to be taking concrete steps to see this dream realized.”