AURORA, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Ground was broken on a project to build Aurora's newest land-based casino.
The entirely new casino, hotel and entertainment facility will replace the nearby riverboat casino when completed. The groundbreaking ceremony took place Wednesday.
The $360 million facility will feature roughly 1,200 gaming positions, 220 guest rooms, a retail sportsbook, outdoor entertainment area, a spa, bars and restaurants, an approximately 12,000 square foot event center with meeting areas and 1,700 parking spaces, according to a news release from PENN Entertainment.
The company expects to create 700 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs.
"This has been a long time and coming and something that we've been working with the city on for multiple years," Greg Moore, Vice President & General Manager of Hollywood Casino Aurora told WBBM.
The facility will be located adjacent to the Chicago Premium Outlets near Interstate 88. Moore said the old complex in downtown will likely be demolished to make way for another city project.
“Our tremendous and long-lasting partnership with the City of Aurora has provided an opportunity to relocate our property to an ideal location that will significantly improve our offerings and further our positive economic impact on the community," Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment said in a statement.
The new casino will likely open to the public in late 2025.
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