From reporter Jennifer Hall of St.Joseph News-Press now.com and the St.Joseph News Press
If the river cooperates, many St. Joseph casino workers will be back on the job this fall.“We think we’re past the high river (levels) finally,” said Craig Travers, general manager of the St. Jo Frontier Casino. The local casino, which has been closed since June 27, has tentative plans to reopen Oct. 1.While the main casino floor persevered, there was extensive damage done to the rest of the building. Mr. Travers said it was completely gutted and is ready for the rebuilding process.“We’ve been green-lighted by the insurance carriers,” he said last week. “It will still be dictated by Ol’ Man River but I think we’ll start (rebuilding) next week.”River levels continue to drop and as long as they stay below 27 feet, which is based on the levee behind the casino, work will go on as planned. The levels, which reached a high of 29.97 feet in late June and have been above major flood stage all summer, are expected to go below 25 feet this week.In the meantime, casino workers have remained on the payroll and dedicated gamblers are experiencing a new way to frequent a casino. Mr. Travers said that the casino continues to schedule buses to its other facility in Osceola, Iowa. Several buses make weekly trips.“Everyone has had a wonderful time,” he said. “So we keep them as happy as possible. Groups go up daily or stay overnight.”The two-hour bus ride hasn’t deterred many. Others have opted to travel across state line to visit White Cloud, Kan., or even head south to many of the Kansas City casinos.“I miss being able to spend a nice evening in St. Joe (at the casino),” said Dolores Whittaker. “But I’ve managed to find other things to do at area places.”“They do have alternatives,” Mr. Travers said. “Just like anything else they do on a continual basis, they find an alternative. Obviously I can’t blame them. But they’re loyal enough to know they’ll come back when we reopen.”There has been a financial impact with its closing.While most casino employees stayed on the payroll, other workers affected by the flood have been able to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. On Aug. 21, President Barack Obama declared six Missouri counties disaster areas. The declaration allows individuals affected by flooding in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, Lafayette and Platte counties to access the 26-week Disaster Unemployment Assistance program.Applicants must file a claim no later than Sept. 23.As far as revenues, the past two months have only slightly affected the city and county budgets. Since funds generated by casino gambling do not affect the operating budget, the closing only impacts one-time expenses.Based on actual fiscal year 2011 receipts for July through September, the city’s loss would come to $285,000, according to Carolyn Harrison, director of financial services. The city receives an average of $85,000 to $95,000 a month for the gaming fund. The county also receives funds.While only some projects have been put on hold or capped, most of the city’s contributions from the gaming fund will continue as planned.And with the casino possibly reopening in a little more than a month, there should be no long-term affects by its summer closing, officials said.
