Casino Developers Say They'll Have Jobs To Fill, Projects To Complete

November 23, 2009

by Cliff Judy (WELLINGTON, Kan.)

Developers of a casino in Mulvane say if things go smoothly, they'll soon have jobs to fill and projects for local businesses to complete. The people working on the Chisholm Creek Casino Resort held the first of two public meetings in Sumner County on Monday night.

With approval from county officials and a gaming license from the state possibly being wrapped up in the next couple of months, developers wanted citizens to know how to apply for jobs and tell businesses how to apply for contracts.

More than 80 people attended Monday night's meeting at Memorial Auditorium in downtown Wellington.

David Gutierrez says Lakes Entertainment, the company managing the casino, estimates the project will create 800 jobs. The casino/resort will also spend $11 million annually on products and services from local businesses.

That has several local business owners interested. Chad and Jodie Bartelson bought the KOA Kampgrounds near the Turnpike in Wellington in June. They plan to expand 20 slots for RV's to 40, and they believe a partnership with the casino could help boost business. The couple has brainstormed about shuttles to and from the resort.

"I think it's a pretty big pie," says Jodie Bartelson, "so hopefully, there'll be a lot of us that'll be able to have our slice and help our businesses in the meantime."

Chad Bartelson also operates a plumbing and electrical business with a partner and says he hopes to land some subcontracting work when construction on the casino begins.

"I think this is the kind of opportunity that everyone in America's looking for right now," says Chad Bartelson. "We certainly want to be on board any avenue we can."

Developers gave a 45-minute presentation before opening the floor for questions, and there were a few skeptics in the room. One woman asked why people from outside the south central Kansas region will come to the Chisholm Creek project when there are so many farther south in Oklahoma?

Developers continue to insist the project will be a destination casino with more amenities than gaming sites south of the Kansas-Oklahoma border.

Developers also announced the project's brand new website is up and running. You can click on the link on this page to see the Chisholm Creek Casino Resort website.

REPORTER TWEETS: Read below to see the updates Eyewitness News Reporter Cliff Judy was sending out over Twitter throughout the day. You can follow him at @12Judy.

5:30 p.m.: "Sumner casino developers give latest details and tell locals how they can land a casino job. Story at 10."

6:45 p.m.: "I count a little more than 80 people at the Sumner County casino mtg. (picture of meeting attached to Tweet)"

8:30 p.m.: "Developers say brand new casino website is up and running. (link attached to Tweet)"

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