By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Jo Frontier Casino will reopen this afternoon, the second reopening after floodwaters forced it to close.
The casino closed for 31 days from late on March the 19th to April 20th after the Missouri River flooded the complex just off downtown St. Joseph on the bank of the river. Floodwaters rose once again and forced the casino to close. The casino didn’t open on May 29th, due to flooding. No water got into the casino during the second flooding.
St. Jo Frontier Casino officials had hoped to reopen earlier this week, but had to delay the reopening when repair and cleanup took longer than expected. Reopening is set for four o’clock this afternoon.
The land-based portion of the casino remains under repair. It houses the bar, buffet, and ballroom and was badly damaged by the initial flood. Reconstruction continues.
The casino, slots and tables, opens for regular business this afternoon. Food and drink will be available through the bar and grill in the casino portion of the complex. The casino actually floats on a moat of Missouri River water and has been able to avoid the damage done to the land-based building. A new entrance for the casino had to be constructed so patrons could enter the casino directly.
The St. Jo Frontier Casino celebrates its 25th anniversary later this month. The casino, though now at a different location, opened June 24th of 1994, one of the first four casinos to operate in Missouri.