The elaborate facility should also draw people to central Nebraska. Karlyn Ollendick, Elite’s chief operating officer, said the $100 million project will be a destination casino resort.

Kehl said Elite will build a “big, beautiful resort with first-class amenities that should make Grand Island and Fonner Park proud.”

Ollendick talked about the economic impact of the venture. “When you add a casino resort to your community, the direct impact is life-changing,” she said.

As the Fonner officials sifted through the proposals over the last five months, “one group kept coming to the top,” Fogland said.

Elite operates three casino resorts in Iowa. One of them, located in Larchwood, Iowa, primarily serves Sioux Falls, S.D. Pending state gaming approval, Elite will build a casino resort in southern Illinois.

“We have a proven track record in regional markets,” Ollendick said. “We value communities the size of Grand Island,” Kehl said. “We have spent more than 30 years building a business in towns your size, and it’s in our wheelhouse,” he said. “We’re so excited about this partnership with Fonner Park.”

The company builds world-class properties to begin with, and continues “to reinvest in our properties because it’s important,” Kehl said. “It’s important not only for our success, but for the success of the communities in which we operate.”

The company values having local investors who take pride in the property and provide valuable feedback, Kehl said.

After a temporary gaming facility is housed in the Fonner Park concourse, the construction of the hotel and casino will be completed, in one phase, within 18 months.

Kehl said the casino floor will be big, beautiful and energetic. “The casino floor will have a seamless connection to the existing Fonner Park structure to guarantee guest flow between the casino, racing operations and the convention center."

The hotel will be “rich with amenities,” Kehl said. The 116 hotel rooms will include luxury suites.
In addition, “We will offer classy, fun and varied restaurant choices.”

Fine dining will be offered at Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood on the rooftop, which will offer a great view of Grand Island, he said.

The other eateries will be a Grab & Go restaurant, a family dining establishment and a sports bar and grill.
“There’ll be something for everyone, with dining options for every taste,” Kehl said.

A roof deck on the second floor will be multifunctional throughout the year. There might be “an ice skating rink up there in the winter,” a playground for kids or a Santa Village at Christmastime, said Grand Island native Nathan Casteel, the project’s design leader.

By Jeff Bahr