fla_tiger
01-30-2007, 01:00 PM
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/par1.jpg
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is rolling the dice in a gamble that more than $100 million being spent on the expansion of Paragon Casino Resort will transform Marksville into a premier resort destination.
New projects scheduled to come online this year will double the size of the tribe's gambling properties, from about 500,000 square feet to 1 million square feet, officials said.
Nothing, though, is being added to Paragon's 74,120 square feet of gambling space, which includes 2,100 slot machines, 46 gaming tables and a poker room.
Instead, the resort side of the facility is growing to include such amenities as an eight-story hotel with a lobby atrium designed with a Creole village theme, complete with a bayou, live alligators and 40-foot-tall artificial cypress trees. Other additions will include three movie theaters, a full spa and fitness rooms and a new, 550-seat buffet.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/DSCN0822.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/exterior.jpg
Hotel expansion
Perhaps the most stunning addition will be the towering atrium that will serve as the new hotel lobby opening in September.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/bilde.jpg
Elements of Spanish architecture, such as arched passageways and balconies -- extending from 205 new hotel rooms that will overlook the atrium -- are being built to create a New Orleans French Quarter feel. A short distance from canopy-draped retail stores, guests will be able to walk across bridges over a simulated Louisiana bayou.
Barbry said there will be real alligators and catfish, in separate sections, swimming in the bayou. Audio of croaking bullfrogs will be piped in, and fog machines will help contribute to the atmosphere, he said.
Atrium
The atrium also will house three movie theaters, a cocktail lounge and coffee shop. Off the atrium will be a pool with a swim-up bar adorned with a waterfall and palm trees.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/DSCN0821.jpg
New Mári Center
The new Mári Center showroom is being built behind the former Mári Center. The new center will increase concert seating from 1,500 seats to 2,500 seats and have a larger stage. Country music star Trace Adkins will open the new Mári Center on March 31. Paragon officials also are working on a concert date for blues legend B.B. King. An 8,000-square-foot ballroom connected to the Mári Center could accommodate as many as 500 seated guests or can be sectioned off for smaller gatherings.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is rolling the dice in a gamble that more than $100 million being spent on the expansion of Paragon Casino Resort will transform Marksville into a premier resort destination.
New projects scheduled to come online this year will double the size of the tribe's gambling properties, from about 500,000 square feet to 1 million square feet, officials said.
Nothing, though, is being added to Paragon's 74,120 square feet of gambling space, which includes 2,100 slot machines, 46 gaming tables and a poker room.
Instead, the resort side of the facility is growing to include such amenities as an eight-story hotel with a lobby atrium designed with a Creole village theme, complete with a bayou, live alligators and 40-foot-tall artificial cypress trees. Other additions will include three movie theaters, a full spa and fitness rooms and a new, 550-seat buffet.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/DSCN0822.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/exterior.jpg
Hotel expansion
Perhaps the most stunning addition will be the towering atrium that will serve as the new hotel lobby opening in September.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/bilde.jpg
Elements of Spanish architecture, such as arched passageways and balconies -- extending from 205 new hotel rooms that will overlook the atrium -- are being built to create a New Orleans French Quarter feel. A short distance from canopy-draped retail stores, guests will be able to walk across bridges over a simulated Louisiana bayou.
Barbry said there will be real alligators and catfish, in separate sections, swimming in the bayou. Audio of croaking bullfrogs will be piped in, and fog machines will help contribute to the atmosphere, he said.
Atrium
The atrium also will house three movie theaters, a cocktail lounge and coffee shop. Off the atrium will be a pool with a swim-up bar adorned with a waterfall and palm trees.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/fla_tiger/CENLA/DSCN0821.jpg
New Mári Center
The new Mári Center showroom is being built behind the former Mári Center. The new center will increase concert seating from 1,500 seats to 2,500 seats and have a larger stage. Country music star Trace Adkins will open the new Mári Center on March 31. Paragon officials also are working on a concert date for blues legend B.B. King. An 8,000-square-foot ballroom connected to the Mári Center could accommodate as many as 500 seated guests or can be sectioned off for smaller gatherings.
