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Treasure Island Resort & Casino facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Treasure Island Resort & Casino
Stock logo for Treasure Island's Resort and Casino.jpeg
Location Welch, MN 55089
Address 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road
Opening date 1984; 41 years ago (1984)
Theme Tropical
No. of rooms 788 (2nd-largest hotel in Minnesota)
Total gaming space 200,000 Square Feet
Signature attractions Treasure Island Amphitheater (16,000 capacity), Island Event Center (2,800 capacity), The Lagoon (indoor waterpark), Wave Spa, Spirit of the Water, Marina, RV Park, Island Xtreme Bowl, Cyber Quest arcade
Notable restaurants Tado Steakhouse, Currents Restaurant
Casino type Privately Held
Renovated in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2015
Coordinates 44°37′56″N 92°39′00″W / 44.63215°N 92.64992°W / 44.63215; -92.64992

Treasure Island Resort & Casino is a fun place in Welch, Minnesota. It's owned and run by the Prairie Island Indian Community. This resort is special because it's the only one of its kind in southern Minnesota located right on the Mississippi River!

At Treasure Island, you can find many games like slot machines and table games such as blackjack and poker. But it's not just about games! The resort also has a huge hotel with 788 rooms, making it the second-largest hotel in Minnesota.

There are lots of other cool things to do too:

  • A big outdoor concert area called the Treasure Island Amphitheater.
  • An indoor event center for shows.
  • A marina for boats.
  • An RV park if you're traveling in a recreational vehicle.
  • A fun indoor waterpark called The Lagoon.
  • A relaxing spa.
  • A 24-lane bowling alley and an arcade for games.
  • Many different restaurants to try.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino is a very important place for jobs. It employs almost 1,500 people, making it the biggest employer in Goodhue County!

How Treasure Island Started

Treasure Island Resort & Casino began in 1984. Back then, it was just a bingo hall called Island Bingo. It was a 30,000-square-foot building that could seat 1,400 people.

Things changed when the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 was passed. This law helped Native American tribes create their own gaming businesses. It helped tribes become stronger and improve life on their reservations.

After this law, the Prairie Island Indian Community signed an agreement with Minnesota in 1989. This allowed them to make their gaming place bigger.

  • In 1991, they added 25,000 square feet for more games.
  • In 1992, they added another 25,000 square feet.
  • In 1993, a huge 78,000-square-foot expansion brought new restaurants, a gift shop, and an entertainment area.
  • In 1994, a marina for boats and an RV park opened.
  • In 1996, Treasure Island changed its name to Treasure Island Resort & Casino. It became a big resort with a new theme and a 250-room hotel. The whole place grew to 350,000 square feet!
  • In 2001, another 200,000 square feet were added. This included more games and office space.
  • In 2008, 230 new hotel rooms were built, along with a large event center and the bowling alley with an arcade.
  • In 2015, a new steakhouse was built, and the water park and spa started construction.
  • The Lagoon waterpark and Wave Spa officially opened on February 9, 2016.

The Prairie Island Indian Community

The Prairie Island Indian Community is a Native American tribe. They were officially recognized by the government in 1936. The success of Treasure Island Resort & Casino has greatly helped the Prairie Island Indian Community.

Thanks to the gaming act, the tribe has been able to create many important services for its members. Before the casino, many of these services didn't exist on Prairie Island.

Some of the services now available include:

  • Educational programs and scholarships for students.
  • Social services to help families.
  • Financial planning advice.
  • Better water and sewer systems.
  • A health care facility for medical needs.
  • A community center for gatherings.
  • A tribal government center and courtroom.
  • A tribal police chief.
  • Exercise facilities for staying active.

Gaming businesses like Treasure Island are very important for many Native American communities. In Minnesota, tribal gaming is now one of the top employers. In Goodhue County, it has created over 1,600 new jobs. It has also helped many people become less reliant on welfare.

The Prairie Island Indian Community is the largest employer in Goodhue County. They also pay about $14 million in state and federal taxes each year. Besides the casino, they own Dakota Station (a gas station) and Mount Frontenac (a golf course).

Native American gaming has also helped tribes continue their tradition of sharing. Since 1994, the Prairie Island Indian Community has donated nearly $17.5 million. This money has gone to many different causes, both for Native American and non-Native American groups.

Some of the organizations that have received help include:

  • March of Dimes
  • American Diabetes Association
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • Special Olympics
  • Veterans organizations
  • Toys for Tots
  • Salvation Army
  • Local hospitals and schools
  • United Way
  • Environmental and wildlife preservation groups