Riverside Casino celebrates renovations

RIVERSIDE — A crowd gathered at the Riverside Casino Thursday night for a ribbon cutting and Alive After Five to celebrate renovations to the resort’s event center. Upgrades included lighting improvements, updated wall finishes, new flooring and a dedicated pre-function space along with welcome displays and a modernized stage setup.

Casino General Manager Damon John said he was excited to celebrate the improvements with community members.

“We’re part of the corridor, it’s a place that we feel very fondly about, and we just want to invite everyone down to be part of it,” he said. “It’s exciting for the region, not only for us … it’s something for the entire corridor area to experience.”

John said the remodel cost around $3 million between 10 separate vendors, with various stages of the work completed in 2021 and 2022.

“Like with anything here at the resort, we take a lot of pride in the product we present to our customers,” he said. “With thousands of events being held in that event center and hundreds of concerts throughout the years, it was just time to upgrade. With spaces like the event space, you have to adapt with the times.”

Overall, the manager said it was a drastic improvement.

“Our old event center looked very nice, we had a lot of great events in there, a lot of awesome concerts, but with event space, time does take its toll,” he said. “We want to have a space that is just the place to be. We’re the only event center in the area that features 24/7 entertainment in addition to the event you might book.”

Other speakers at the event said they were pleased to have the community landmark in Washington County.

“Without that vision to keep the Riverside Casino a constant draw to the region, we wouldn't be celebrating this renovation today,” Washington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said. “Rural regions like ours don't have many opportunities to hold large events, attract national talent, and invite people to our communities. But your investment in Washington County has opened the door for us. You've been tremendous partners and supporters of the surrounding communities and on behalf of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, I sincerely thank you.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com