Monday, Wind Creek casinos in Atmore, Wetumpka, and Montgomery re-opened on Monday. The Wind Creek Casinos are operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Casinos and other entertainment venues were allowed to reopen by Governor Kay Ivey (R) after she lifted the ban on the venues to halt the spread of the coronavirus. Wind Creek CEO, Jay Dorris released the following statement regarding their plans for reopening its resorts and casinos: It's been forty-five (45) days since we voluntarily closed our doors in. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians announced in a press release Wind Creek Wetumpka Casino reopened to the public today. The reopening comes with a variety of new policies to guard against the spread of COVID-19. Safety measures include temperature checks for all guests and employees. Wind Creek casinos reopen in Montgomery, Wetumpka June 8, 2020 at 5:53 AM CDT - Updated June 8 at 6:44 PM MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is planning to reopen its.
© Mickey Welsh / Advertiser Electronic gaming at the Wind Creek Casino.The wait is nearly over to play electronic bingo again at Wind Creek facilities in Alabama, though some major changes and safety requirements for guests are planned.
You also may want to make a reservation to get on the casino floor.
'Just like your favorite restaurant on a Friday night, a reservation isn't required,' said Jay Dorris, CEO and President of Wind Creek, in a news release from Wind Creek Hospitality on Wednesday. 'But if you absolutely want to join us on a given day and time, reservations are available.'
© Advertiser file Wind Creek's electronic bingo machines will be cleaned between each person's use.After a soft opening for invited guests, Wind Creek's facilities in Montgomery, Wetumpka and Atmore will reopen to the public on June 8.
'A big part of our plans is predicated on real social distancing,' Dorris told the Advertiser in an interview prior to Wednesday's announcement.
Each game takes up about 3 feet of space. Dorris said that the casino floors will require two unused games between each active game, in order to allow the recommended six foot safety distance.
Dorris said they're also in the process of installing barriers. He said these are being manufactured, and will be put in place as they are received.
Guests and employees will be required to wear masks in the building, which guests are asked to provide for themselves. Masks will also be available on site for a small donation that supports first-responders, health care providers and COVID-19 patient relief funds.
Additionally, all guests and employees will have their temperatures taken.
'We want them to know they're choosing a place that has taken every step we can take to make sure they're going to be safe, our employees are going to be safe, and we can all still have fun,' Dorris said.
A limited number of guests will be allowed on the casino floor, roughly a third of normal capacity, according to the Wind Creek release. The public will have four sessions a day that they're allowed to use the electronic bingo machines. The room will undergo a deep cleaning between sessions, and machines will be cleaned after each use.
If the casino floor is at capacity, Wind Creek will have waiting areas available for guests.
They're also implementing a new reservation system as of June 3 to let guests make a request to play up to 14 days in advance. Reservations can be made at www.WindCreekCasino.com or by calling 866-WIND-360 (866-946-3360).
'We're eager to get (guests) back,' Dorris said. 'They need to know that we've been working extremely hard. We've been consulting with public health people. We have a doctor that has been helping us develop our reopening plan.'
One change Dorris described that's specific to the River Region is a new use for the entertainment center at Wind Creek Wetumpka, which has served as a concert hall for major touring acts. Dorris said that is being converted into additional gaming space.
'The key for us is to spread the games out so our guests can spread out,' Dorris said.
In restaurants, tables will be spaced. The hotel and player services areas, and anywhere else that could have lines, will have social distancing markers to keep people six feet apart.
Guests and employees will be required to wear masks in the building, which guests are asked to provide for themselves. Masks will also be available on site for a small donation that supports first-responders, health care providers and COVID-19 patient relief funds.
Additionally, all guests and employees will have their temperatures taken.
'We want them to know they're choosing a place that has taken every step we can take to make sure they're going to be safe, our employees are going to be safe, and we can all still have fun,' Dorris said.
A limited number of guests will be allowed on the casino floor, roughly a third of normal capacity, according to the Wind Creek release. The public will have four sessions a day that they're allowed to use the electronic bingo machines. The room will undergo a deep cleaning between sessions, and machines will be cleaned after each use.
If the casino floor is at capacity, Wind Creek will have waiting areas available for guests.
They're also implementing a new reservation system as of June 3 to let guests make a request to play up to 14 days in advance. Reservations can be made at www.WindCreekCasino.com or by calling 866-WIND-360 (866-946-3360).
'We're eager to get (guests) back,' Dorris said. 'They need to know that we've been working extremely hard. We've been consulting with public health people. We have a doctor that has been helping us develop our reopening plan.'
One change Dorris described that's specific to the River Region is a new use for the entertainment center at Wind Creek Wetumpka, which has served as a concert hall for major touring acts. Dorris said that is being converted into additional gaming space.
'The key for us is to spread the games out so our guests can spread out,' Dorris said.
In restaurants, tables will be spaced. The hotel and player services areas, and anywhere else that could have lines, will have social distancing markers to keep people six feet apart.
Facilities will also only allow smoking in designated areas that are separate from the gaming floor, restaurants and other public areas.
Dorris said live music would return to the facilities sometime later after the reopening.
Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Alabama Website
Along with guests, this will mark the return of Wind Creek employees, who have been kept on the payroll by Wind Creek since the facilities closed.
'Our staff has been fantastic, and they've been very appreciative,' Dorris said. 'We've been very fortunate that we've had success that allowed us to weather this situation better than perhaps some other companies. You know, the staff are our company. The building is nice and pretty, but that's not what makes us successful. We've been fortunate to be able to keep our staff.'
Wind Creek Hospitality is an authority of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized Indian tribe in the state of Alabama
Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Reopening Date
For more information about safety protocols at Wind Creek, visit www.WindCreekStandard.com.
Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Reopening Alabama
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.
Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Reopening Dates
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Wind Creek to reopen Alabama casinos June 8
