Renovations planned for Larchwood casino
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LARCHWOOD—The inside of Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort is in for a new look that general manager Sharon Haselhoff bets will wow guests once it is complete.
The casino, located northwest of Larchwood, recently announced a two-part renovation plan that is set to begin this fall and cost about $8 million.
The first phase will take place on the casino floor and involve updating the slot bases, carpet and chairs, VIP offices, poker room and restrooms. The second stage of renovations will update Grand Falls’ restaurants and front-of-house spaces.
“We always take pride in keeping our products fresh and updating and reinvesting into our properties,” Haselhoff said. “We think that’s important, not only for our employees, but also our guests.”
She noted how Grand Falls turned 10 years old in June and that it was getting time to add investments into the casino’s existing facilities.
The renovation announcement comes on the heels of an expansion project Grand Falls wrapped up last summer that added 66 more hotel rooms with an elevated corridor overlooking the outdoor swimming pool and pool deck. The expansion also added more recreational vehicle campsites outside the facility.
In early 2020, the casino also opened its 3,500-square-foot Betfred Sportsbook, which features 80 screens, 10 recliners, 22 lounging chairs, two reservable VIP areas, five high-top tables, a full bar and food service.
Grand Falls is owned by Elite Casino Resorts, which also owns casinos in Davenport and near Riverside.
“Elite Casino Resorts is proud to be able to continue to reinvest in our properties here in Iowa and we look forward to seeing the Grand Falls renovation come to fruition,” said Dan Kehl, the casino company’s chief executive office, in announcing the project.
The first phase of the upcoming renovation is set to go from September to late November and cost an estimated $2 million, although Haselhoff noted construction costs could vary. She also said the time frame will depend on when construction materials arrive.
The second phase is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2022, with a tentative completion target being the end of that year.
Grand Falls plans to hire multiple contractors for the construction work, and its facilities department will oversee the project in lieu of a general contractor.
The casino’s gaming floor and dining areas still will be open for patrons to use around the clock as the renovations take place, although certain areas will temporarily shut down at a time to accommodate the construction.
“We’re going to try and limit the impact to our guests as much as possible,” Haselhoff said.
“Then when we get to the restaurants, there may be certain periods that we have certain restaurants closed down for a period of time, but again, we’ll try and limit that to a bare minimum.”
