Sumner County Commissioners chose three of the five proposed casino sites for endorsement Monday, with one in Wellington and two at Exit 33 in Mulvane.
Commissioners Jim Newell, Gary E. Martin and Eldon Gracy unanimously approved the endorsements and pre-development agreements for Lakes Entertainment at Exit 33 and Exit 19 and for Chisholm Creek Resorts. Prairie Sky’s casino proposals were not endorsed.
Martin — serving as spokesperson for the commissioners — said there were three reasons why Prairie Sky was not endorsed — no pre-development agreement, no agreement to build a hotel and “a lack of enthusiasm on their part.”
Hotels changed the name of the game, with Chisholm Creek Resorts and Lakes stepping up to build a hotel, or get a third-party hotel developer on site during Phase 1 of their proposals, Martin said. Prairie Sky chose not to, causing what Martin called, “a lack of enthusiasm.”
“They felt like Sky, not having the money to build a hotel and offering to give us a hotel, was a lack of enthusiasm,” said Martin.
An agreement between the County and the developer was never brought before the commissioners, Martin said.
“There was never an agreement drawn up...the ball is in their court right now and we do not have a development agreement with them at this time,” Martin said.
Though Prairie Sky was not included for the endorsements, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t receive them at a later time. Developers have until the June 30 deadline to have their contracts approved by the state —with endorsement by a city or county a required element.
“There could be the possibility that anything could happen,” said Martin.
Chisholm Creek Resorts was chosen based on the advantages it would bring not only for the site, but for the county.
“They offered to build a hotel. They are in the process right now on getting a hotel built and the thing is they offered us some revenue sharing,” said Martin.
Both Lakes sites were endorsed, Martin says to protect the possibility of a Wellington casino.
“We endorsed them to protect Exit 19...it was part of a package deal,” said Martin.
The Exit 33 Lakes site was turned down by planning and zoning, though the commissioner says a decision will be made later as to whether the zoning should pass or not.
A mixed bag of emotion flooded the Raymond Frye Complex as the commissioners went into executive session for 30 minutes.
“It’s great,” Wellington City Councilman Terry Nunemaker said of the endorsement at Exit 19. “There are a number of great reasons why the Wellington site is the best choice. Not the least of it is that the community supports it, we have the infrastructure at hand where we can support that, we aren’t attempting to build a large facility in a flood plain next to a creek — there’s just a number of great reasons why Wellington is the best site and naturally I’m very pleased with that decision.”
Fellow council member Larry Shimer was less than thrilled at the inclusion of the Exit 33 sites.
“We got booted again. I’m surprised. I really am surprised,” said Shimer.
“I don’t know the reasoning, I don’t know why they did what they did. I think we need to get something built in Sumner County. I haven’t changed my opinion. I’m still pushing the Wellington location for all the same reasons and the infrastructure is a huge issue,” said Rep. Vince Wetta (D-Wellington).
Jackie Farnsworth, an avid fighter of casinos in Mulvane says she’s happy none of the Prairie Sky sites were chosen, but that still leaves two potential sites close to her home.
“I’m glad there is not going to be a Prairie Sky but I also don’t feel that Lakes should have been approved either because we have so much flooding, so much water right now everything out there is flooded and we really can’t be building out there because of the water table situation...it’s incredible,” said Farnsworth. “Everyone can skew their thoughts and wants but natural does what it wants.”
Farnsworth says the fight to keep casinos out of Mulvane is still as hot as ever.
“I don’t think we should have a casino crammed down our throat...we aren’t against something being built, we just don’t want something that is anti-family, anti-social,” she said.
Supporters of Prairie Sky were surprised their choice of proposal was not endorsed saying the commissioners aren’t looking out for their best interests.
“It would be a shame to send to the state proposals that can’t be financed. That’s what happened the first time around...we’ve got one company that has the money coming out of their own pocket and they didn’t get endorsed,” said Duane Burns, a Mulvane resident.
“I think not being endorsed was definitely a shot at us,” said Burns.
“It just proves to me what a shyster of Wellington County Commissioners we got,” said Mark Hardison. “I said Wellington County Commissioners because our representative on the northern end is not representing his people.”
If Prairie Sky’s sites remained unendorsed by the county, its support say they will root for the next best thing — a casino at Exit 33.
Though Mulvane sites were chosen, Martin said the commissioners still feel Wellington was is best pick for the county and the state.
“We still think that Exit 19 is the best economic impact there is in the County and I think there will be more money to be made there than anywhere else,” said Martin.
Developers have until June 30 to have their contracts approved by the state. The Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board has 60 days after that to choose the contract for the South Central Zone.
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Sumner County Commissioners chose three of the five proposed casino sites for endorsement Monday, with one in Wellington and two at Exit 33 in Mulvane.
Commissioners Jim Newell, Gary E. Martin and Eldon Gracy unanimously approved the endorsements and pre-development agreements for Lakes Entertainment at Exit 33 and Exit 19 and for Chisholm Creek Resorts. Prairie Sky’s casino proposals were not endorsed.
Martin — serving as spokesperson for the commissioners — said there were three reasons why Prairie Sky was not endorsed — no pre-development agreement, no agreement to build a hotel and “a lack of enthusiasm on their part.”
Hotels changed the name of the game, with Chisholm Creek Resorts and Lakes stepping up to build a hotel, or get a third-party hotel developer on site during Phase 1 of their proposals, Martin said. Prairie Sky chose not to, causing what Martin called, “a lack of enthusiasm.”
“They felt like Sky, not having the money to build a hotel and offering to give us a hotel, was a lack of enthusiasm,” said Martin.
An agreement between the County and the developer was never brought before the commissioners, Martin said.
“There was never an agreement drawn up...the ball is in their court right now and we do not have a development agreement with them at this time,” Martin said.
Though Prairie Sky was not included for the endorsements, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t receive them at a later time. Developers have until the June 30 deadline to have their contracts approved by the state —with endorsement by a city or county a required element.
“There could be the possibility that anything could happen,” said Martin.
Chisholm Creek Resorts was chosen based on the advantages it would bring not only for the site, but for the county.
“They offered to build a hotel. They are in the process right now on getting a hotel built and the thing is they offered us some revenue sharing,” said Martin.
Both Lakes sites were endorsed, Martin says to protect the possibility of a Wellington casino.
“We endorsed them to protect Exit 19...it was part of a package deal,” said Martin.
The Exit 33 Lakes site was turned down by planning and zoning, though the commissioner says a decision will be made later as to whether the zoning should pass or not.
A mixed bag of emotion flooded the Raymond Frye Complex as the commissioners went into executive session for 30 minutes.
“It’s great,” Wellington City Councilman Terry Nunemaker said of the endorsement at Exit 19. “There are a number of great reasons why the Wellington site is the best choice. Not the least of it is that the community supports it, we have the infrastructure at hand where we can support that, we aren’t attempting to build a large facility in a flood plain next to a creek — there’s just a number of great reasons why Wellington is the best site and naturally I’m very pleased with that decision.”
Fellow council member Larry Shimer was less than thrilled at the inclusion of the Exit 33 sites.
“We got booted again. I’m surprised. I really am surprised,” said Shimer.
“I don’t know the reasoning, I don’t know why they did what they did. I think we need to get something built in Sumner County. I haven’t changed my opinion. I’m still pushing the Wellington location for all the same reasons and the infrastructure is a huge issue,” said Rep. Vince Wetta (D-Wellington).
Jackie Farnsworth, an avid fighter of casinos in Mulvane says she’s happy none of the Prairie Sky sites were chosen, but that still leaves two potential sites close to her home.
“I’m glad there is not going to be a Prairie Sky but I also don’t feel that Lakes should have been approved either because we have so much flooding, so much water right now everything out there is flooded and we really can’t be building out there because of the water table situation...it’s incredible,” said Farnsworth. “Everyone can skew their thoughts and wants but natural does what it wants.”
Farnsworth says the fight to keep casinos out of Mulvane is still as hot as ever.
“I don’t think we should have a casino crammed down our throat...we aren’t against something being built, we just don’t want something that is anti-family, anti-social,” she said.
Supporters of Prairie Sky were surprised their choice of proposal was not endorsed saying the commissioners aren’t looking out for their best interests.
“It would be a shame to send to the state proposals that can’t be financed. That’s what happened the first time around...we’ve got one company that has the money coming out of their own pocket and they didn’t get endorsed,” said Duane Burns, a Mulvane resident.
“I think not being endorsed was definitely a shot at us,” said Burns.
“It just proves to me what a shyster of Wellington County Commissioners we got,” said Mark Hardison. “I said Wellington County Commissioners because our representative on the northern end is not representing his people.”
If Prairie Sky’s sites remained unendorsed by the county, its support say they will root for the next best thing — a casino at Exit 33.
Though Mulvane sites were chosen, Martin said the commissioners still feel Wellington was is best pick for the county and the state.
“We still think that Exit 19 is the best economic impact there is in the County and I think there will be more money to be made there than anywhere else,” said Martin.
Developers have until June 30 to have their contracts approved by the state. The Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board has 60 days after that to choose the contract for the South Central Zone.
