Update on the Kewadin Casino fire renovations

Kewadin Casinos today released the following update on renovations at its Sault Ste. Marie facility since a major fire there late last month:

************************** Development plan full steam ahead

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Kewadin Casinos' $4 million development plan is moving forward despite a February 28th fire that closed down the facility’s main gaming floor. The development plan, which was slated in three phases, was just starting on phase two when the fire occurred.

This phase was to include a complete renovation of the casino’s two gaming floors and Bawating Art Gallery. "Our fire set us back one phase in our plans but we are still moving forward," Bernard Bouschor Chief Operating Officer said.

"Our Paradise Gaming floor is still closed but when it is re-opened in May, it will be completely remodeled along with our Bawating Art Gallery." Phase three, which included remodeling the award-winning Dream Catchers Restaurant and the remodeling of the Atlantic Gaming floor, is currently on hold until winter 2004. The plan, which was announced in November 2003, will create a "Northern Exposure" theme featuring brick, rock and wood at all five casino properties throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The proposal includes remodeling existing properties and, in certain instances, developing entirely new facilities. Areas currently completed at the Sault Ste. Marie site include the casino’s Northern Rewards Club Booth which has been re-located and modernized, the "Trail." which has been re-themed with rock and water features, a coffee shop area next to the hotel lobby, and a new gift shop.

In addition to this project, the Kewadin Casinos hotel completed the refurbishing of the property’s East Wing in December 2003.

All 52 rooms of the original Kewadin hotel, including the corridors, now feature a "northern" color scheme, which is featured throughout the casino development project.

The color scheme includes greens, tans, and earthtones.

All carpet, wall vinyl, furniture window treatments have also been replaced. In another sweeping capital renovation project, the re-construction of a new Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace, will begin in April 2004.

It will be located on a bluff area overlooking Lake Huron’s Horsehoe Bay.

The project has an estimated construction period of 20 months and a projected development budget of $30 million.

The new location will allow for the existing casino property to operate while constructing the new building. "Increased gaming competition across Michigan and the aging conditions of our casino properties make these renovations necessary," said Bouschor.

"Our guests and the communities we serve all deserve to have the latest and best gaming resort destinations that we can possibly offer. With the theming and rebuild projects we will continue to offer the best gaming experience in Northern Michigan." The project scope in St. Ignace consists of over 127,000 square feet of new space, including a new casino with 800 slot machines, 26 table games 20 Keno seats, a buffet/restaurant seating 225, an entertainment lounge seating 125, a sports bar, an 83-room three story hotel, an RV park, and additional parking.

In addition, the master plan incorporates expansion details for a conference center, Kid’s Quest, permanent outdoor amphitheater, and the potential for an indoor water park. The Tribe’s management and architectural team have yet to determine décor of the exterior and interior of the facility, which will likely follow the Tribe’s Casino Development Plan creating a "Northern Exposure" theme featuring Native culture, brick, rock and wood, Bouschor said.

Kewadin Casinos, with locations in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Manistique, Christmas, and Hessel, offers world-class entertainment along with outstanding recreational opportunities, all in the unsurpassed beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

In December 2003, MeetingNews’ Magazine awarded Kewadin Casinos Hotel and Convention Center the "Planners' Choice Award."

This annual award program is a National/International award that recognizes properties and convention bureaus, which regularly excel in all phases of conference and hospitality services.

In addition to the Planners’ Choice Award, Kewadin Casinos 1,200 team members were the recipients of many prestigious awards.

Our Dreamcatcher’s Restaurant was voted as having the Best Seafood, Best Desserts, Best Buffet, Best Salad Bar, The DreamMaker Theater was voted Best Entertainment Venue and Kewadin Casinos was voted Best Place to Spend Saturday Night all by the Evening News "Best of the Counties 2003" survey.

Kewadin Casinos also received four awards from Midwest Gaming & Travel Magazine.

Readers voted Kewadin Casinos their choice of Native Casinos in Michigan for Best Players Club, Best Players Club Parties, and Best Lounge –Reflections, Best Concert Venue - Dream Makers Theater. Kewadin Casinos and Detroit’s Greektown Casino is owned and operated by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

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