A new multi-million dollar casino in the Wellington area and approximately 1,500 new jobs “would be a win for Cowley County as well,” said Shelly Hansel, Wellington Chamber of Commerce president.
“I am so excited about all the possibilities, not just for Sumner County but Cowley and Harper,” she said.
Sumner County commissioners Wednesday endorsed two proposals for a Wellington casino. Two other companies proposed casinos at the Mulvane interchange on the Kansas Turnpike.
“We’re all still walking around kind of in disbelief and perhaps anticipation for an incredible future,” Hansel said. “It has been a very long road and at times it feels like it was just yesterday.
“But, when you look back at all the things we’ve done and accomplished in three years, it is amazing,” she said.
The first hint of Sumner County getting involved in the casino business occurred in October 2005, Janis Hellard, Sumner County Economic Development Director said.
“It’s been a long process. Of Course, we’re not done with it yet,” she said.
The proposals for Wellington were from Penn National Gaming and Marvel Gaming-Binion Family Trust. MGM Mirage and Harrah’s Entertainment submitted the proposals for the Mulvane area.
The commission unanimously endorsed the Wellington proposals and must turn in the proposals to the Kansas Lottery by Dec. 28.
The majority of the people who spoke up preferred the Wellington location for various reasons. Some residents in the Mulvane area did not want a casino near their homes,” Hellard said.
“Of course, a lot of Mulvane residents are Sedgwick County residents and Sedgwick County voted ‘no’,” she said. ” Most of the people felt like if it were in the center of the county it would have a greater economic impact on the entire county.
Two proposals included housing developments. One of them – Penn National – was accepted by the commission. The proposal includes 310 houses on the east side of the turnpike, according to Hellard.
Penn will also build a nine-hole executive golf course while Marvel proposed a one-time $2 million injection to the local golf course. And, of course, with shuttles to run back and forth to the golf course,” she said.
The assessed value of the county would increase dramatically and lower the mill levy which, in turn, should lower taxes, Hellard said. Additional businesses should follow, which would also add to the assessed value of the county.
“We definitely hope more residents move in to take the jobs the casino will offer. And hope that generates more housing and more students for our schools, which helps our schools out,” Hellard said. “Hopefully, they’ll choose not just to live in Wellington but in all parts of Sumner County and even Cowley County. It would help all of our area.”
The new jobs should not have a negative impact on Cowley County’s employment. Some employees working locally may want to work for a casino but may have spouses who would not.
“A person working in a factory situation is not necessarily a hospitality type of person,” she said.
A casino should attract a lot of conventions which would benefit the entire region’s economy. Surrounding attractions could be included in tours of the area. There’s no reason, Hellard said, that shuttles couldn’t run back and forth to County Roundup when it is held in Winfield.
Marvel’s proposals includes a hunting lodge separate from the hotel, according to Hansel. I heard they picked a site near Oxford the hunting lodge,” she said.
“Cowley County was very supportive of us in this whole effort. We definitely appreciate that,” Hellard said.
Lonnie Boyd, executive director of the Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce, said Cowley First has discussed some issues involved in having a large casino so close to the county but is waiting for a ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court over the legality of the legislation which allowed casinos in Kansas not on Indian land.
The Winfield chamber has made no formal endorsement but been represented when discussions were held some months ago on what the project could mean to the local community, according to Boyd.
“I”m sure as it gets further along we’ll know what we’re dealing with both at the county and the state level, and there will be some kind of statement coming from all three organizations,” she said. The three include the Winfield and Arkansas City chambers and Cowley First.
