Page 29: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 1994)

Aztar And Evansville, Ind. Agree On $100-Million Facility

Jeffboat tapped to build 310-ft. City of Evansville

The city of Evansville, Ind. an- nounced the selection of Aztar Corp. as its choice to operate the only riverboat gaming facility planned to be licensed in the Evansville mar- ket.

Announced by Mayor Frank

McDonald II, the agreement stipu- lates that the city will recommend to the Indiana Gaming Commission that Aztar be licensed to operate the

Evansville riverboat casino. Evans- ville, on the Ohio River in

Vanderburgh County in southwest- ern Indiana, is a market of 650,000 people within 50 miles and 2.5 mil- lion within 100 miles.

It's projected the facility will at- tract 2.3 million visitors annually until additional competition, if any, emerges from the Louisville mar- ket.

Aztar's proposed project, to be called Evansville Landing, will be situated in downtown Evansville, and feature the City of Evansville, a replica of the historic Robert E. Lee racing sidewheel steamboat. The vessel is currently under construc- tion at Jeffboat of Jeffersonville,

Ind. The 310-ft. (94.5-m) by 70-ft. (21.3-m), 2,500-passenger vessel is scheduled for delivery by April 1995, and will feature 1,250 slot machines and 70 table games.

The estimated $100-million con- tract will also include: a 250-room hotel; a riverfront pavilion, an en- tertainment complex for pre-board- ing facilities, restaurants, retail shops and a lounge.

Aztar's application for an Indiana gaming license is pending, as the successful resolution of a court rul- ing challenging the constitutional- ity of Indiana's riverboat gaming legislation must first occur.

For more information on Jeffboat,

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Harrah's Debuts New Look,

Emphasis

Harrah's Casinos has unveiled a new brand mark, positioning line and ad campaign to appeal to the growing number of casino enter- tainment customers nationwide.

The new look is more than just a look, however, as it embraces an entertainment focus and moves

Harrah's beyond gaming into the entertainment arena. The new fo- cus is embodied in the company's new line, "Great Time. Every Time."

Casino America Earnings

Strong At New Facilities

Casino America Inc., which re- ported it anticipated gaming rev- enues in excess of $140 million for

FY '94 which ended April 30, re- ports generally positive results on the riverboat gaming front.

The Isle of Capri Casino, Bossier

City, La., which opened May 20, 1994, has had gaming revenues in excess of $370,000 per day, which translates to more than $11 million on a monthly basis, exceeding the company's original projections.

The Isle of Capri Casino in

Vicksburg, Miss, opened a new float- ing pavilion on May 18, and the facility had gaming revenues of $4.9 million in May, and is currently seeing a strong increase in gaming revenues, with expectations of sur- passing $6 million for June.

The Isle of Capri Casino in Biloxi,

Miss, had gaming revenues of ap- proximately $5.1 million in May, an approximately 23 percent decline from May '93 results. However, the decrease was expected due to a sub- stantial increase in competition, and the facility reportedly remains prof- itable for the company.

Maritime Reporter/Engineering News

UNIVERSAL GYPSUM TECHNOLOGY, INC-

ZERODEC • ZEROLITE • ZEROMET • ZEROROC • UGT is a leader in the field of glass fiber reinforced gypsum (GRG) and cement (GRC) molded architectural decorative shapes for interior and exterior applications. • UGT is also the leader in new product development. As it's name suggests, UGT is continuously creating new tech- nology utilizing gypsum and cement as basic ingredients.

Each of the product lines are preceded with the word Zero, designating Zero Burn, Zero Smoke, Zero Melt and Zero

Toxicity. • Management realized early-on (since 1974) that these product characteristics were vital for public buildings and marine applications. As a result, UGT products are Coast

Guard approved for all ship/boat applications. • With weight a critical factor, especially with Riverboats,

UGT recognized the need for lighter products without sac- rificing strength or non-burn features. UGT's inorganic laboratory, directed by Dr. Ping Lu, developed a light weight system for interior use that reduces weight by 40%. Ceiling tiles can now be produced under 13 oz. psf, with moldings proportionately lighter. • The laboratory has also perfected a cement (exterior) that can be molded less than 3/16" thick and still retain extreme strength. Color can be molded-in for many applications, eliminating the need for paint finishes. • UGT is recognized as a specialist in the Riverboat industry and has been involved in (9) Boats. Its' design staff is sensi- tive to marine applications and works closely with the ships architect, designer, engineer and builder. • They even provide on-site technical assistance for the installation of UGT products. Method of attachment, fixing, allowances for movement, proper packing, storing, joint con- cealment and final touchup are all preplanned items by the

UGT team in cooperation with the contractor. • Most products are provided prefinished in virtually any surface including wood grains, marble, stone, colors and high tech metals (gold, silver, copper, etc). Finishes and special shapes are protected in shipment by custom molded- in-place foam to insure safe delivery. • UGT employs over (70) full time experts in laminating and finishing. The 38,000 sf plant is built on (14) acres with ample space for expansion. With a ceiling height over 20', most projects can be accommodated. • Working with UGT is like adding to your team. They are the "Get-Involved" people. They've even set-up satellite plants close to a project when the scope required it

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Contact: Bob Barry, VP/Director of Design - Marketing 901 Duerer Street, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215

Telephone: (609) 965-7700 • Fax: (609) 965-0227

Designed by the people who know the business.

The naval architecture firm of Guido Perla & Associates is a full-service engineering firm serving the marine industry since 1979.

From the design of large factory trawlers; casino and river- boats, ships and ferries to minor modifications, expertise based on extensive marine construction experience has been the key to success of every GPA project.

Guido Perla & Associates offers a wide variety of services including: • Computer-aided design • Production engineering • Computer lofting • Technical consulting for all types of vessels • Regulatory agency liaison • Preventive maintenance programs • Mechanical, electrical and structural analysis • Stability analysis LOUISIANA'S 1st CASINO BOAT

GUIDO PERLA & ASSOCIATES 4039 21st Avenue West, Suite 300, Seattle, Washington U.S.A. 98199-1252 Telephone 206-285-3232 Telefax 206-285-4225

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World Gaming Congress & Exposition Page 15