Treasure Island Resort & Casino is a tribal gaming facility owned and operated by the Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) in Welch, MN - Goodhue County. It is the only casino resort in southern Minnesota located on the Mississippi River. The casino's gaming options include slot machines; video roulette, blackjack and keno; live dealer blackjack, poker and other table games; and bingo. Additional amenities to the property include a hotel, the Island Event Center, a marina, RV-park, a cruise yacht, a 24-lane bowling center, several restaurants; and a water park and spa. Employing nearly 1,500 people, Treasure Island Resort & Casino is the largest employer in Goodhue County.
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History
Treasure Island Resort & Casino began as a bingo hall in 1984 called Island Bingo. This building started as a 30,000-square-foot space that seated 1,400 people. Through its time of success it began to grow further into Treasure Island after Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. This act required states to negotiate gaming compacts with the Tribe as a way to strengthen tribal governments and improve the quality of life on reservations. This act contributed to much tribal success for Prairie Island Indian Community in addition to the entire state of Minnesota. Shortly after this in 1989, Prairie Island Indian Community signed a compact with the State of Minnesota which allowed it to expand its gaming operation. In 1991, the 30,000-square-foot building was expanded with a 25,000-square-foot addition that created room for additional games. Not long after this in 1992, the casino was expanded by an additional 25,000 square feet. Growth in the Prairie Island Indian Community was shown through this with the opening of a community center, health care facility as well as improvement to tribal water and sewer systems. In 1993, a 78,000-square-foot expansion was added which created three new restaurants, valet parking, state-of-the-art kitchen, a gift shop, players club, ballroom and a new entertainment area. In the following year, a 137-slip marina and 95-site RV park would open. Growth continued as 9,854-square-foot addition for business offices is established in 1995. In 1996, Treasure Island made a big step with a $20 million addition and redesign. A strategic marketing shift changed the name to Treasure Island Resort & Casino with the addition of new theming and a 250-room hotel transformed Treasure Island into a destination resort. The total square footage has 350,000 with 25,000 square feet designed for meeting space. In 2001, an additional 200,000 feet were added to the casino, which included a new great entry, higher ceilings to improve air quality, additional games, 70,000-square-foot office space and 60,000-square-foot warehouse. An expansion that was completed in fall 2008 included 230 new hotel rooms, 30,000-square-foot event center and a bowling center complete with an arcade area. In 2015, Tado Steakhouse was constructed, Tradewinds Buffet was remodeled and the water park & spa construction began. The Lagoon and Wave Spa opened February 9, 2016.
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Prairie Island Indian Community
In 1936, the Prairie Island Indian Community was recognized by the federal government and had established acreage as the reservation. Prairie Island Indian Community has grown into a successful and flourishing Tribe with tremendous help from Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Because the Regulatory Act of 1988, they have established Treasure Island Resort & Casino and through this have established several services. The services on Prairie Island that didn't exist prior to gaming include educational programs and scholarships, social services, financial planning services, improved water and sewer systems, water treatment facility, health care facility, community center, Tribal government center, Tribal courtroom, Tribal police chief and exercise facilities. Tribal gaming is an important vessel to all Indian communities. Tribal gaming is now among the top 14 employers in Minnesota. In Goodhue County, gaming has helped create more than 1,600 new tax-paying jobs and is credited with dramatically reducing the number of residents on welfare by 67%. As the largest employer in Goodhue County, Prairie Island provides for nearly $14 million in state and federal taxes annually. Prairie Island Indian Community also owns Dakota Station (gas station and convenience store) and Mount Frontenac (golf course). Indian gaming has also allowed Tribes including the Prairie Island Indian Community to resume the important Indian custom of sharing. Since 1994, the Community has donated nearly $17.5 million to many Indian and non-Indian causes. Organizations that have benefited since gaming was established on Prairie Island include: March of Dimes, Spare Key, American Diabetes, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Special Olympics, veterans organizations, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, area hospitals and schools, United Way, environmental and wildlife preservation groups and many other.
Awards
As the largest employer in Goodhue County, Treasure Island Resort & Casino is proud to be the recipient of numerous awards, including an award from the Disabled American Veterans and the Executive Chef receiving the Patrick Murray Friend of the Foundation Award. The casino also received a Best Casino award, Celebrate Business Success award and was voted Minnesota's Favorite Casino 13 years in a row.
Employee awards
- Largest employer in Goodhue County, MN
Facility awards
- 2009 - Treasure Island was presented with the "Best Casino" Editor's Pick Award by Minnesota Meetings & Events
- 2009 - Treasure Island was presented with the Celebrate Business Success award by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce
- 2013 - Treasure Island was awarded a plaque from the St. Paul Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans for its commitment to the DAV and military organizations
- 2013 - Midwest Gaming & Travel awarded Treasure Island for the 13th year in a row as Minnesota's Favorite Casino in its annual Reader's Choice survey
- 2014 - Executive Chef James Powers receives the Patrick Murray Friend of the Foundation Award to acknowledge his years of support for the National Kidney Foundation
- 2014 - Minnesota Lodging Association awards Treasure Island with the 2014 Property of the Year (more than 50 rooms)
- 2014 - The American Diabetes Association presented two awards to Treasure Island Resort & Casino. One in recognition of TIRC and PIIC's dedication to supporting the ADA in 2014 and the other for the support of the Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes
- 2015 - American Diabetes Association awarded Treasure Island with Outstanding Partner of the Year
Partnerships
Since 1994, the Prairie Island Indian Community, a federally recognized Indian Nation, has donated more than $17.5 million to a variety of civic and non-profit organizations. The organizations include:
Guided by a mission to help young people achieve their goals and develop a strong foundation of leadership skills, the Prairie Island Indian Community supports youth and professional sports programs. As a Tribe with approximately half of its members under the age of 18, they believe that involvement in sports programs at all levels helps youth develop key skills to build a promising future for themselves and their communities. The sports partnerships held by Treasure Island Resort & Casino and Prairie Island Indian Community include:
- Minnesota Twins Community Fund
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Minnesota Lynx
- Minnesota Wild
- St. Paul Saints
- Minnesota Disabled Hockey Program
- Red Wing Youth Baseball, Softball and Volleyball
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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