By By Adam Prestridge
A steady flow of visitors converged on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians' new Creek Entertainment Center Friday night.
The new 20,000 square foot facility was unveiled to Tribal members and invited guests during a Grand Opening celebration which began at 7 p.m. Following the reception, the $4.4 million Entertainment Center, which houses an additional 592 electronic gaming machines, opened to the public.
Although the new state-of-the-art facility provides more entertainment to those customers that frequent the already existing Bingo Palace, officials are pleased that the new facility will generate added income into the area.
"One of the best things about my job is knowing our work is making a positive economic impact right here at home," Tribal Council treasurer and PCI Gaming CFO Arthur Mothershed said.
The new gaming facility not only offers customers additional gaming opportunities and added income for PCI Gaming, but it has also created more than 100 new jobs for residents in Poarch, Atmore and the surrounding areas.
"New jobs are good for the local economy," Mothershed said. "Our employment creates disposable income that is largely spent here. Payroll results in sales taxes, excise taxes and federal income. Revenues from our operations allow us to support our community, our schools and our businesses in ways that make a real difference."
With the new gaming machines, the Atmore facility now has more than 1,140 games. Since breaking ground to make way for the new facility in November 2005, PCI employees and Tribal members have eagerly anticipated the day when the doors opened.
"We are so excited to finally open this new facility, it has been a labor of love," PCI Gaming general manager Kitty Stuart said.
Martin Construction, a local Indian-owned construction company oversaw the project. Martin was awarded the contract following a competitive bid process, Mothershed said during a recent interview.
The facility features a back operations area, cash room, cashiers booth, cash center and bathroom facility. It also features a state-of-the-art heating and air conditioning system that eliminates a majority of cigarette smoke in the facility.
"Smoke is one of the biggest complaints we received in the old facility," Mothershed said. "When we started to look at the design of the building, height and floor space was put into consideration to help as well."
In addition to the new facility, PCI Gaming also started a new rewards program for its customers, which allows them to accumulate points to win prizes. A rewards booth will feature prizes that customers can redeem points for.
"It's our way of showing our appreciation to our customers," Mothershed said. "The more you play, the more points you earn and the nicer the prizes get."
In addition to the new gaming facility, construction on a new Subway restaurant kiosk is underway between the Bingo Palace and the new gaming facility.
Several renovations have been made to the 20-year-old Bingo Palace including fresh coats of paint inside and outside and new carpeting. A hallway with a glass storefront now connects the two facilities.
Kay McDuffie, current site manager for the Creek Entertainment Center, has joined PCI Gaming in the newly formed accounting department. Daniel McGhee has accepted the position of site manager for the Creek Entertainment Center.