Operator News

US – Wind Creek Wetumpka ready to open with 2,520 slots

By Phil - 16 December 2013

Wind Creek Wetumpka, a luxury casino and hotel development built on the banks of the stunningly beautiful Coosa River, will open its doors to the public for the first time on December 17.

The project is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and managed by PCI Gaming Authority.

Poarch Creek Tribal Chairman Buford Rolin said: “The opening of Wind Creek Wetumpka is a new beginning in many ways. Not only are we opening the doors of a beautiful new property, but a lot of our Tribal Members and neighbours in the area are starting new jobs there that will support their families and allow them to send their children to college.  We, as a Tribe, are tremendously proud to be able to provide both a lovely new attraction for visitors to our State and jobs in the region.”

Wind Creek Wetumpka is a 20-story, deluxe hotel and casino that features 283 rooms, 85,000 sq. ft. of gaming space, 2,520 electronic gaming machines, and a 16,000 gallon shark tank at the casino’s bar.

Construction on the development began in May of 2012. Over 18 months, more than 800 workers contributed an estimated 1.4 million man-hours to the project. Payroll during this period exceeded $100m.

Jay Dorris, President of PCI Gaming, said: “Wind Creek Wetumpka is a significant and positive economic impact on this area and the State.  We have been able to hire people when jobs are tight and we look forward to working with our employees and our neighbors to make Wind Creek Wetumpka one of the finest gaming resorts in the country.

Wind Creek Wetumpka’s hotel will begin opening floors in phases starting on Tuesday. It is slated to be completely open by mid-February.  Once fully operational, the development is expected to employ an estimated 1,100 people with a $34m annual payroll.  Wind Creek Wetumpka is also expected to spur the growth of small businesses that service and supply the development.

“Wind Creek Wetumpka is a lot like the river it’s built on,” said WCW’s property manager, Cody Williamson.  “The Coosa’s beauty and benefits reach far into the State, and that’s what we hope will be the case with Wind Creek Wetumpka. We are hoping that folks across Alabama will benefit from our efforts to make the State a destination spot, keep tourist dollars right here at home, and provide good jobs.”