Construction and Expansion Update for October 4

"Country mega-star Tim McGraw will perform the inaugrural concert at the new Events Center on Dec. 2. Entertainment Director Sam Madonia made the announcement last week, generating lots of excitement about the opening ofthe new facility. Finishing work continues at the Event Center, and it will host its first event, a MAINES trade show, in mid-October. United South and Eastern Tribes will hold its annual fall conference in the Events Center at the end of the month. Crews are wrapping up painting and will be installing components of the state-of-the-art cound and lighting systems in the coming days. Portions of the Winter Garden and the Tower opened tot eh public last Thursday. Most of the work remaining inthe Winter Garden is inthe restaurant areas. The driveway was graded and paved lsat week, and the interior water features were being finished last week. Crews also have been finishing the grand stairway to the mezzanine level, which connects the Winter Garden to the Events Center. Sidewalk installation around theWinter Garden and the rest of the property also continues. The gaming machines int he former Crystal's Diner area, which is adjacent to the Winter Garden, were removed last week to allow completion of that part of the expansion. The area should be ready to reopen with the machines in the next couple of weeks. The tower welcomed its first guests Thursday. About 40 people made reservations to be the first to experience the latest in the resort's lodging options. Four floors of the 19-story Tower are open to the public, while work continues on finishing the remaining floors. Vice President of Hospitality Robert McEleney said he expects the Tower to open four additional floors each week through October. The connecting walkway from the parking garage to the Tower also opened last week." talk to you later joe