Much of the work that’s been done has been underground the foundation has been completed and the former Sears and JCPenney buildings, which were originally planned to be part of the permanent facility, have been demolished, according to Evangelista.

The project will temporarily employ up to 1,000 construction workers, casino officials said. The work remains on schedule and the opening of the full facility is still expected at this time next year. The middle and front portions of the casino property are a busy construction zone these days, with heavy machinery and lots of truck traffic, dust and noise. Construction is underway in front of the former Belk building at the casino property. “It’s just been a very overall successful first year,” he said. Both are going well and meeting expectations, he said.

Mayor Neal Osborne looks at the temporary casino’s first year in terms of two things: revenue and construction of the permanent casino. “We couldn’t be happier with our first year together and we’re looking forward to opening the doors next year and welcoming everybody to a brand new facility.” “It’s just been very overwhelming when it comes to how much we feel a part of the family and the community,” said Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. Money giveaways and music are planned throughout the day. It will include a hotel and amphitheater with lots of entertainment, more restaurants and food options, shopping, a spa and pool.Ī celebration is planned for Saturday, the one-year anniversary of the opening, amid much fanfare, of the Bristol Casino, future home of Hard Rock, at the former mall site off Gate City Highway in west Bristol. But city and casino officials expect that to change with the opening next July of the full, permanent facility, whose anticipated cost now tops $520 million, an increase from the original estimate of $400 million. You wouldn’t know it yet from the surrounding neighborhood, which appears to be mostly unchanged in the 12 months since the casino opened. The entertainment will be DJ Jessie D from 2-4 p.m., Tuatha Dea from 4:30-6 p.m., David Eggar & Friends from 7-9 p.m., and The Bachelor Boys from 10 p.m. The drawings are only open to Unity Members, who belong to a loyalty club at the casino.

Three guests will be drawn to win $2,500 in free slot or table play and one person will win $25,000 at 10 p.m. The celebration Saturday of the first year of Bristol’s temporary casino will include $100,000 in drawings that will take place every hour from noon to 9 p.m. Bristol Casino first anniversary celebration

Bristol casino donations