DGP & Casino Facility ExpansionMEMORANDUM
December 29, 2003
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino Facility Expansion Project
The Dubuque Racing Association Board of Directors has submitted a plan for a $15,622,195
expansion of Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. This would include a $9,542,105 bank
loan from a consortium of American Trust and Savings Bank and Dubuque Bank and Trust.
I enthusiastically support this expansion as being in the best interest of the State of Iowa, the
City of Dubuque and local charities.
The Dubuque Racing Association contracted with Will Cummings & Associates to develop
"Projections for the Revenues of an Expanded Slot Facility at Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino." Mr. Cummings is the same individual that recently conducted a state-wide study of
the gaming industry in Iowa for the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission. Mr. Cumming's study
indicates that DGP&C could expect an increase of $18,866,000 in gaming revenues at the
1,000 slot machine level.
A summary of Projected Positive Economic Impact of DGP&C Expansion to City and Charities
indicates that in the first full year of casino operation at 1,000 machines, the positive impact to
the City would be $2,603,965, an increase of 37%, and that the impact to Charities would be
$529,202, an increase of 32%.
With City Council approval, the DRA will present this request to the Iowa Racing and Gaming
Commission at their January 15, 2004 meeting.
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval of the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino expansion plans.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Angela Simon, President, Dubuque Racing Association
Bruce Wentworth, General Manager, Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Office of the Mayor
and City Cotmdi
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 520014864
December 12, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court Avenue, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners,
On behalf of the City of Dubuque, I'm encouraging you to expand the gaming
opportunities at the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. The entire tri-state
region has benefited enormously from revenues generated by the Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino, and increasing the number of slot machines will have
a significant positive impact on this area.
Over the years, thousands of people have been assisted by the work of the
Dubuque Racing Association. Local charities have accessed millions of dollars
for equipment, programs and services. Additionally, the City of Dubuque has
been able to improve the quality of life for all Dubuque residents and guests
through more than $32 million in DRA distributions.
As a state, Iowa has struggled to keep its population stable. To attract and retain
residents, the City of Dubuque prides itself in creating a clean, safe and
convenient place to live, work, and play. By offering amenities young adults are
seeking - including recreational opportunities, high-tech jobs and affordable
housing - we believe we are bringing people back to Dubuque. By investing in
our schools and educational systems, we are retaining families, and by keeping
Dubuque safe, we make Dubuque an attractive community for senior citizens.
Gaming revenue has helped make these efforts possible, and the future looks
bright.
At the end of October 2003, the City of Dubuque hosted a ribbon-cutting
ceremony for the Grand River Center, a conference and education facility on
thebanks of the Mississippi River. This event celebrated the completion of the
final major component of the America's River project, a $188 million riverfront
redevelopment plan. Approximately $9 million in gaming revenues helped
America's River move from dream to reality. The 90-acre campus was built on
underutilized industrial property and includes the National Mississippi River
Serv4ce People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Museum & Aquarium, the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, and the
Mississippi Riverwalk. Dubuque's riverfront project is receiving national
attention, winning numerous awards, and continuing to attract thousand of
visitors to Dubuque. The entire project has been a boon to economic
development by making Dubuque a destination for tourists. A shift in the tourism
market has kept guests closer to home. Although our new dverfront is attracting
many national visitors, America's River continues to draw people from
surrounding states. One of the biggest attractions of the area is rediscovering
the Mississippi River.
Not only has America's River had a powerful impact on tourism and economic
development, it has spurred tremendous interest in redeveloping Dubuque's
historic downtown. Dubuque Racing Association funds contributed to a major
renovation of the City of Dubuque's Five Flags Theater. Built in 1910, the theater
was designed by the famous theater designers Rapp & Rapp, and modeled after
the Moulin Rouge and Olympia Music Halls in Paris, France. In 1970, the theater
dodged the wrecking ball in the eleventh hour, spared by a group of Dubuquers
who believed the theater was an irreplaceable treasure. The Five Flags Theater
underwent substantial restoration with new restrooms, a roomier balcony,
restored seats, plaster repair and a complete repainting to the original colors.
Special care was taken to preserve the historic Five Flags Theater with the
expertise of the areas premier restoration professionals.
This past summer was an exceptional year for Dubuque swimming pools.
Attendance was at near-record levels, and Dubuque-area children spent a
second year enjoying water playgrounds. Swimming pool improvements and the
installation of water playgrounds are improvements the DRA distribution has
enabled the City of Dubuque to complete. Additionally, over the past decade
more than a dozen neighborhood parks were developed or improved through
gaming revenue, including Dubuque's very popular skate park.
Miller Riverview Park, a site which offers spectacular river views and camping
facilities, underwent a major renovation with the assistance of Dubuque Racing
Association funding. Other neighborhood parks now feature new playground
equipment, basketball courts or improved lighting. These are amenities that
make Dubuque residents proud of their community and directly improve the
quality of life for Dubuque children.
Through the use of gaming revenue, the City has been able to purchase
hundreds of acres of land and develop two new industrial parks. The Dubuque
Technology Park and Dubuque Industrial Center West offer new businesses an
attractive option for relocating and provides an opportunity for existing industry to
expand. As Dubuque looks toward the future, the City is positioned to draw
growing companies to this area with the appropriate infrastructure in place to
meet their needs. Additionally, gaming revenue has aided the City's economic
development activities helping to improve the Dubuque Regional Airport. A
major runway extension project was completed and more expansion is planned
in the future.
There are hundreds of other examples of how the nRA distribution has positively
impacted this community, and each completed project has a ripple effect. The
new industrial parks are attracting new business and industry. Those companies
bring new job opportunities, which may allow Dubuque residents to stay in the
community where they grew up. Or the impact may as simple as a new piece of
playground equipment, which provides children a safe place to spend their
afternoon.
By expanding slot machines at the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino, the
Commission will help the State of Iowa, Dubuque and area charities move
forward. Dubuque voters have supported the City-owned Dubuque Greyhound
Park and Casino, first voting to incur the debt to build the facility and
subsequently voting to continue operation of the facility. The most recent vote,
held in 2002, passed with an overwhelming 80% of the vote. Gaming has been a
very positive part of Dubuque's history, and I hope we can continue to move
forward.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Terry Duggan
Mayor
City of Dubuque
TD/sbg
cc: Dubuque City Council
Angela Simon, President, Dubuque Racing Association
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Projects funded by the Dubuque Racing Association
Five Flags Civic Center Hotel tunnel
Arena masking curtain
Movable wall
Concession equipment
Carpet replacement
Portable staging
Additional theater fire suppression system
Sidewalk replacement
Renovations to theater balcony
Replacement of arena seating
Convention center study
Majestic and Bijou rooms decorations
Repainting theater exterior
Town Clock Plaza
Terrazzo repair
Tree replacement
Grate replacement
Lighting Town Clock
Park Maintenance
Playground improvements
Post removal/Curb installation
Renovate park sidewalks
Retaining walls
Renovate water systems
Mechanics Building - install water and sewer
Asbestos project
Roofing - Buildings/Pavilions
Specific Park Improvements
Replace Eagle Point fence
Replace walk/tower aroa
Sealcoat north lot
Sealcoat Bunker Hill Road
Flora Park garage paint and repair
Flora Park Patch Main Road
Resurface tennis courts
Comiskey Park lighting
Comiskey Park replace buildings
Marshall Park water line
Murphy Park fencing
Allison Henderson Park lighting
FaIk Park playground
Usha Park development
Rolierblade area
Hillcrest Park renovation
Elmwood Green Park development
Washington Park replacement of light fixtures
Pool Related
Flora/Sutton Pools enlarge fence enclosures
Flora/Sutton Pools chemical treatment
Flora/Sutton Pools storage buildings
Wading pool deck
Storm Sewer Related
Dredge 16th Street Detention Basin
Miller Riverview Park
Miller Riverview Park restreoms
Miller Riverview Park rip rap
Miller Riverview Park roadway paving
Miller Riverview Park renovation of playgreund
Miller Riverview Park electrical work
Industrial Park Development
IndustriaI Park development
Eagle Window project
Dubuque Industrial Center West
Dubuque Industrial Center West Recreational Trail
Dubuque Technology Park
Kerper Industrial Park
Lighting for Seippel Road
Airport Related
Runway extension 18/36
Fencing airport perimeter
Riverfront Related
Mississippi Riverwalk and amenities
Grand River Center
Riverfrent Development Study - Port of Dubuque Master Plan
Riverfrent leasehold improvements
Tourism signage
Hedtage Trail Riverfront System
Relocating storm sewers in the Port of Dubuque
Additional Port of Dubuque parking
Other
Document Imaging for the City
Library computer upgrade
Library roof replacement
Computedprintedsoftware replacements
Fire ladder truck
City Garage Replacement
DUBUQUE GREYHOUND
&
CASINO
FACILITY EXPANSION PROJECT
January 2004
December 23, 2003
Honorable Mayor and City 'Council
Dubuque City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
RE: Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino Facility Expansion
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council:
Please accept this letter and packet of supporting information as a request by
the Dubuque Racing Association to expand Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino's casino operation. Provisions within the DRA/City Lease require
approval for alterations in excess of $10,000 (DRX/City Lease, para. 17)
and for debt incurred with the consent of the City (DRA/City Lease, para.
45.(e)).
At a meeting of the Dubuque Racing Association Board of Directors held on
Friday, December 19, 2003, the Board passed a motion instructing staff to
proceed with the project described in this packet, and, subject to City
Council's approval, to make application for approval of this project to the
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission on January 15, 2004. A copy of that
motion follows this letter of request.
The project would expand the current 600 slot machine casino area presently
consisting of approximately 12,000 square feet to a larger 27,000 square foot
casmo that would accommodate 1,000 machines. Also included is a new
administrative/support building located on the west end of the facility.
P.O. Box3190 ° Dusuc~us. IA 52004-3190 ' ?~0N~ 563.582.3647 ' FAX563.582.9074
The project would be financed with local banks, over a 7-year term. Total
construction costs are estimated at $9,200,000. Total cost of the project,
including eqmpment, bankroll requirements, and roadway and signage
improvements are estimated at $15,622,195.
Included in this packet for your review are Financial Projections prepared by
Roger Hoeger, Assistant General Manager and Controller for Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino. These Financial Projections were presented to
the Dubuque Racing Association Board of Directors at their December 19,
2003 meeting, and used by the Board as projections on which the Board
made its decision to proceed with this project.
The Dubuque Racing Association estimates that it would use DRA Reserve
Funds, Depreciation & Improvement funds and Reserve Fund set asides
totaling an estimated $6,080,090. The remaining balance of approximately
$9,542,105 represents the loan amount needed to complete this project. For
a detailed recap of projected sources and uses of funds, see page 11 of the
Financial Projections tab in this packet.
Provisions within the DP, A/City Lease require the City's consent to commit
DRA Reserve Funds and Depreciation & Improvement Fund monies to this
project: This request letter asks the City to consent to DRA's use of those
monies as part of the City's approval for this project.
Included in this packet is a letter of credit from American Trust indicating
that American Trust and Dubuque Bank & Trust would finance this project
subject to the renewal of the lease between the Dubuque Greyhound Park
and Casino and the City, consent by the City of Dubuque for the
subordination of profit sharing revenues until the Banks' loans are repaid,
and subject to the approval of the project by the Iowa Racing & Gaming
Commission.
Also included in this packet are projections prepared by the Durrant Group
detailing construction costs and construction timelines. Also included in this
portion of the packet are renderings and floor plans for this project. At the
Council's meeting, DRA will provide representatives from Durrant ro
present this plan and answer any questions the Council might have.
The Dubuque Racing Association also contracted with Will Cummings &
Associates to develop "Projections .For the Revenues of an Expanded Slot
Facility at Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino". Mr. Cummings is the
same individual that recently conducted a statewide study of the gaming
industry in Iowa for the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission. Mr.
Cumming's study indicates that DGP&C could expect an increase of
$t8,866,000 in gaming revenues at the t,000 slot machine level. A copy of
Mr. Cumming's study is included in this packet.
A summary of Projected Positive Economic Impact ofDGP& C Expansion
to City and Charities follows this letter, and indicates that in the first full
year of casino operation at 1000 machines (2006), the positive impact to the
City would be $2,603,965, an increase of 37% over status quo, and that the
impact to Charities would be $529,202, an increase of 32% over status quo.
In preparing this request, the Dubuque Racing Association asked a number
of charitable and civic organizations for their support for this project; the
result was the receipt of over 150 letters of support, which are included in
this packet.
If the City approves moving forward with the pro~ ect, the DRA will present
this request to the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission on January 15, 2004.
If the IRGC approves the request, DRA estimates that the project would be
fully operational with 1,000 slot machines on August 1, 2005.
The Dubuque Racing Association respectfully requests that the City approve
this request.
Sincerely,
Bruce Wentworth
General Manager
Dubuque Racing Association
EXCERPT FROM THE DRA DECEMBER 19, 2003
FULL BOARD MEETING
FACILITY EXPANSTION PROJECT
Mr. Waller moved to approve the Executive Committee's recommendation directing staff
[o proceed with the current DGP&C expansion plans by submitting said plans to both the
IRGC and the City of Dubuque for approval to expand to a 1,000 slot machine facility,
using a 7-year finance schedule, and construction costs estimated a $9.2 million. Ms
Denlin~er seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
P.O. Box3190 ° Dusuc~uE IA 52004-3190 · PHON~ 563.582.3647 ° FAX 563.582.9074
Projected Positive Economic Impact*
of DGP&C Expansion to City and Charities
City of Dubuque:
Rent
Distribution
Gaming Tax
Total
600 Machines 1,000 Machines 600 Machines
$3,402,637 $4,853,868 $3,402,637
$6,485,202 $8,977,974 $3,347,759
$228,999 $323,329 $228 999
$10,116,838 $14,155,171
1,000 Machines
$4,853,868
$4,406.163
$323.329
$6,979,395 $9,583,360
Increase % 40% 37%
Charitable Organizations:
Grants
600 Machines
$3,242,601
1,000 Machines
$4,488,987
600 Machines
$1,673,880
1,000 Machines
$2,203,082
Increase % 38% 32%
* Fiscal 2006 (1st Full Year of Casino Operation at 1,000 Slot Machines)
P. 0 Box 3190 ° DUBUQUE. IA 52004-3190 ' PHONE 563.582.3647 "' F~,X 563.582.9074
Date:
December 17, 2003
To:
From:
Issue:
DRA Board of Directors
Roger Hoeger ~.~
Casino Reconfiguration Financial Projections
Recommendation:
The Executive Committee recommends Board approval directing staff to
proceed with the current DGP & C expansion plans by submitting said plans
to both the IRGC and the City of Dubuque for approval to expand to a 1,000
slot machine facility, using a 7-year finance schedule, and construction costs
estimated at $9.2M.
Background: ,
The purpose of this memo is to provide to you the financial projections
regarding the renovation of the facility at Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino, with the goal of increasing the number of slot machines from the
present level of 600 to 1,000 slot machines at DGP & C in an effort to
increase distributions to the City and Charitable organizations, while
enhancing the facility.
The i~ ~]~:~ presented are as follows:
1. Cash Flow Projections under status quo and a 1,000 slot machine
casino with the term of loan to be 7 years
2. Distribution of Ftmds for Fiscal 2003
3. Additional Cash Flow based on adding 400 slot machines that result
in a total of 1,000 slot machines
4. Loan Amortization
5. Reconfiguration Project (including equipment) Sources and Uses of
Funds Statement
6. Construction Project Cost Schedule per Dm-rant Group Inc.
7. CIP Schedules for status quo (600 slot machines) and 1,000 slot
machines
8. DRA Reserve Fund Projections for status quo and 1,000 slot
machines
9. Depreciation & Improvement Fund Projections for status quo and
1,000 slot machines
The gl~!ernativ,e ~.[i95. presented are as follows: 1. Status Quo (600 slot machines)
2. 1,000 slot machines
The ass,~pti~ns are as follows:
1. 36% gaming tax rate, which is currently the highest legislated tax rate
for race tracks
2. Payment of gaming taxes retroactive to June 12, 2002 at the higher tax
rates (A ruling from the State Supreme Court is expected in the near
future as to whether the tracks must pay up to 36% or 20% of adjusted
gross receipts (win); the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the State of
Iowa's favor.)
3. Reconfigured casino fully operational August 1, 2005
4. Diamond Jo at 729 slot machines per Cummings Study
5. Loan of $9.6M with an interest rate of 7.50% amortized over 7 years
(A 7-year debt repayment schedule versus the combination of a 7/15
year schedule results in paying approximately $2.6M less in interest
over the term ofthe loan)
6. Debt service payments are paid from pre-distribution monies
7. Projected increase in win of $18,866,000 per Cummings Study dated
December 2, 2003 above the current 600 slot machine win
8. Construction cost of $9,298,735 per Dm-rant Architects
9. Slot Machines, related equipment, and 5% contingency of $5,780,460
10.Additional banl~oll requirement of $293,000
11. DGP & C signage near the entrance to Greyhound Park Drive and
street lighting of $250,000
12.DRA Funds of $6,080,090 dedicated to the project comprised of the
following:
a. I00% of DRA Reserve CIP Fund Balance in Fiscal 2004 =
$835,918
b. 100% of DRA's distribution share in December 2004 less
Reserve Fund Set Asides & 2005 CIP Expenditures = $693,704
c. 100% of DRAReserve Contingency Fund in Fiscal 2004
$3,916,961
d. 50%ofthe Depreciation & ImprovementFundin Fiscal2004
$633,507
2004 2005
600 slots $6,518,365 $6,712,439
1,000 slots $6,518,365 $7,523,932
2006
$6,695,517
$8,812,325
2007
$6,729,223
$8,974,196
2008
$6,634,363
$9,011,730
2006-2008
The above table projects a 3-year cash flow after debt service (2006 -
2008, which represents the first full 3 years of the reconfigured casino) of
approximately $20M under status quo (600 slot machines) and
approximately $27.1M under a 1,000-machine scenario.
The table below recaps the ending balance of the DRA Reserve Fund,
which is comprised of the Contingency Fund, CIP Fund, and the 5%
Operating Fund based on a 36% gaming tax rate.
600 Slot Machines
1,000 Slot Machines
2004
2005
$5,488,028
$I,331,102
2O06 I' 2007
$5,368,373~ $5,408,363
~,F~$i~16 i~Ii~[ $825,652
2008
$5,272,805
$1,261,415
The above table reflects a high of approximately $5.6M balance in the
DRA Reserve Fund in Fiscal 2004 under status quo to a low of
approximately $366,180 under the 1,000 slot machine scenario in Fiscal
2006.
The projected Capital Improvement Schedule and the associated ftmding
would require a change in present DP,& Reserve funding allocations (the
present policy for DRA's share of its distribution is allocated based on
75% to the CIP Fund and 25% to the Contingency Fund), reduced CIP
expend/tures, or funding from pre-distribution monies or a combination
of ali of these options. The shortfall in the CIP Fund does not impact
DRA's financial ability to service the debt.
The Depreciation & Improvement Fund projects approximately $1.9M
balance under status quo and approximately $1.2M balance under the
1,000 slot machine scenario in Fiscal 2008.
The necessary approvals and timelines for this project to proceed are as
follows:
1. DRA Board of Directors (December 19, 2003)
2. Dubuque City Council (January 5, 2004)
3. Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission (January 15, 2004)
If you have any questions or require additional information, please call
Bruce Wentworth or me.
Fiscal Year
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2006-2008
;ash Flow Before Debt Service
Debt Service
Cash Flow After Debt Service
$5,632,000 $6,518,365 $7,965,675 $I0,579,294 $10,741,165 $10,778,699
N/A N/A ($441,742) ($1,766,969) ($1,766,969)($1,766,969
$5,632,000 $6,518,365 $7,523,932 $8,812,325 $8,974,196 $9,011,730
$26,796,251
Assumptions:
Gaming Tax Rate of 36%
Diamond Jo at 729 Slot Machines per Cummings Study
Assumes Reconfigured Casino Fully Operational Beginning August 1,2005
Loan Amount of $9,600,000
Term of Loan is 7 Years
Interest Rate is 7.50%
Assumes 1st Debt Service Payment due September 1,2005
12117~03 reconfiguration - AAAA. 123t.~
6
Regular Checking Account Balance
Payroll Checking Account Balance
Exchange Checking Account Balance
Jackpot Checking Account Balance
REPO - DRA Operating Account Balance
Total Cash On Hand (Excludes Restricted Cash & Bankrolls)
$1,899,895
($54,963)
$0
($34,298)
$11,439,282
F/Y 2003 CIP Expenditures To Date (Due From D & i Fund) $0
FR' 2003 CtP Expenditures To Date (Due From CIP Reserve Fund) $1,604,278
Totsl Due From Other Funds
Charitable Grants Not Disbursed ($1,160,305}
Accrued IRGC Fees (Admission Tax & Daily License Fee) ($10,083}
Gaming Wagering Tax Payable ($182,005)
Casino Purse Supplement Not Transferred ($58,242)
Total
Undeposited Drop
Jackpot / Fills
Vault Balance Above (Below) Impress Level
Uncashed Casino Tickets
Net Undepositad Drop - Excess (Deficit)
$582,350
($293,353)
$251,856
($I36,548)
$13,049,916
$1,604,278
($1,410,835)
$504,304
Projected Cash Balance After Reconciling items
Distribution Of Net Cash Proceeds Provisions' Set-Asides:
A) NormaI Rep!acement Item Expenses
B) Depreciation And Improvement Fund - Track
C) Depreciation And improvement Fund - Ice Harbor
D) Operating Funds Provision For Track Fadlity -PayroII Accrual
-Accounts Payable Per Checks Dated 12/4/03
-Contingency
E) Debt (Retired)
$0
$0
($15,000)
($116,480)
($375,491)
$0
$0
Total Set-Aside Provision Amount
Rounding Factor (Adjustment To Distribute Whole Thousand Dollars)
Computed DiStribution Before Gaming Tax Contingency
$13,747,861
($506,951)
($910)
$13,240,000
$6,620,000
Distribution To City of Dubuque
Distribution To Charitable Organizations
DRA Reserve Fund
$3,310,000
$3,310,000
Computed Distribution Before Gaming Tax Contingency $13,240,000
.............. ~'~¢~.~, :"~ ~,. 7~ 6~6, 82;3
Eess.,, Rose ,~ .............. ~
Rounding Factc~r (AdjuCmant To Distribute Whole Theusand Dollars)
Computed Distribution After Gaming Tax Contingency $5,632,000
Distribution To City of Dubuque
Distribution To Charitable Organizations
DRA Reserve Fund
$2,816,000
$1,408,000
$1,408,000
12J17/03 2003distrfinal.123
7
DRA Five Year Projections for Fiscal 2004 - Fiscal 2008 (Tax Rate = 36 Percent & 600 Slot Machines)
Fiscal 2004 Fiscal 2005 Fiscal 2006 Fiscal 2007 Fiscal 2008
Greyhound Operations
Total Revenue Prior Year
~ost of Sales Pdor Year
C/ages, Taxes, & Benefits Pr[or Year
Dperating Expenses Pdor Year
Net Income for Prior Year
Reconciling items:
Increase (Decrease) - Revenue
increase) Decrease - Cost of Sales
Increase) Decrease - Wages, Taxes, & Benefits
Increase) Decrease - Stakes Races
Increase) Decrease in Operating Expenses (ExcL Tote & Depr,)
;ash Flow Current Year
$7,493,098 $7,493,098 $7,493,098 $7,493,098 $7,493,098
($6,528,118) ($5,528,I18) ($6,528,118) ($6,528,118) ($8,528,118
($848,416) ($865,384) ($904,327) ($931,456) ($950,088
($826,703) ($844,900) ($858,048) ($867,467) ($879,171
($710,139) ($745,304) ($795,392) ($833,944) ($864,276
$0 $0 $0 $0 SC
S-0 $-0 $-0 $40 $-0
($16,968) ($38,942) ($27,130) ($18,629) ($42,754',
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0
($7,500) $5 $0 $0 $0
$154,770 $154,770 $154,770' $154,770 $154,770
($10,697) ($11,146) ($11,421) ($11,704) ($11,993',
f$590,5341 t$640,622) ($679,1741 15709,506) 15764,253;
Riverboat Operations
Revenue - Adm. Comm. Due from Diamond Jo Prior Year
Operating Expenses Prior Year
$518,393 $518,393 $518,393 $518,393 $518,393
($305,739) ($305,739) ($305,739) ($305,739) $305,7391
$212,654 $212,654 $212,854 $212,654 $212,654
Reconciling items:
Depreciation & Ame~ization $305,554 $305,554 $305,554 $305,554 $305,554
Depreciation & Improvement Fund ($15,000) ($15,000) ($15,000) ($15,000) ($15,000
Cash Flow Current Year $503,208 $503,208 $503,208 $503,208 $503,208
CaSino Operations
f'otal Revenue Prior Year
3cst of Sales Prior Year
C/ages, Taxes, & Benefits Prior Year
Dperating Expenses Prior Year
Other Income / (Expense) Pdor Year
Net Income for Prior Year
Reconc[]ing Items:
increase (Decrease) - Win
increase Decrease - Gaming Tax
Gaming Tax Refund (Payment for Pdo¢ Per ods
Increase) Decrease -Stakes Races
Increase) Decrease - Rent Expense
increase) Decrease - Casino Purse Supplement
Increase) Decrease - Players Club
increase) Decrease - Wages, Taxes, & Benefits
Increase) Decrease ~ p~operty & Casualty Renewal
increase) Decrease - Player Development
increase) Decrease in Operating Expenses (ExcL & Depr.& Amort.)
)epreciation & Amortization
Depreciation & improvement Fund
interest on D & I Fund & Reserve Fund Not S~bject to Distribution
8end Escrow Increase
CIP Expenditures From Operating Funds
$I91,252,769 $19%416,489 $192,832,858 $194,295,967 $195,807,358
$164,436,103) ($189,828,945) ($170,609,802) ($1~1,418,700) ($172,256,642
($8,369,921) ($8,701,370) ($9,072,048) ($9,439,466) ($9,785;I28
($7,037,002) ($7,334,996) ($7,582,978) ($7,847,495) ($8,130,576
$184,748 $184,748 $184,748 $184,748 $184,748
$11,594,491 $5,735,926 $5,752,777 $5,775,053 $5,839,761
$163,720 $%416,369 $1,463,109 $1,511,392 $1,561,267
($6,419,988) ($509,893) ($526,719) ($544,101) ($562,056
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0
$197,200 $0 $0 $0 $0
($12,163) ($105,227) ($108,700) ($112,287) ($115,992
$846,054 ($145,532) ($152,607) ($159,993) ($187,702
($3,946) ($20,205) ($20,872) ($21,561) ($22,273
($331,449) ($370,678) ($367,418) ($325,662) ($428,68~
($57,801) ($66,807) ($77,217) ($89,248) ($105,154]
($66,379) $0 $0 $0 $0;
($173,814) ($181,174) ($187,300) ($193,833) ($200,8251
$1,347,983 $1,347,983 $1,347,983 $1,347,983 $1,347,983
($120,000) ($120,000) ($120,000) ($120,000) ($120,000;
($111,295) ($111,295) ($111,295) ($111,295) ($111,2951
($246,923) ($19,611) ($20,258) ($20,927) ($21,6181
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Cash Flow Current Year $6,605,691 $6,849,853 $6,871,483 $6,935,522 $6,895,407
ICash Flow Combined OPerations $6,516,365 $6,712,439 $6,695,517 $6,729,22.3 $6,634,3631
DRA Five Year Projections for Fiscal 2004 - Fiscal 2008 (Tax Rate = 36 Percent & 600 Slot Machines 8
Assumptions:
Greyhound Operations Assumptions
Increase (Decrease) in Handle & Cost of Sales
Increase in Wages, Taxes, & Benefits
Increase in Operating Expenses (Excl. Tote & Dept.)
Riverboat Operations A~sumptions
Attendance on Diamond Jo @ $.50/Patron
Increase in Win
Gaming Tax Percentage Increase
Increase in Rent Expense
increase in Players Club
(Increase) Decrease o Property & Casualty Renewal
Effective Incr. ~n Totat Operating Exp. Net of Wages, Taxes & Benefits
Win
Coin-in
Tax Rate
Gaming Tax %
Win Subject to purse
Purse %
Purse
Purse Stakes
Fiscal 2004 Fiscal 2005 Fiscal 2006 Fiscal 2007 Fiscal 2008
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
2.00% 4.50% 3.00% 2.00% 4.50%
2,47% 2.47% 2.47% 2.47% 2.47%
1,0361786 1.036,786 1,036,786 1,036,780 1,036,786
0.38% 3.30% 3.30% 3.30% 3.30%
80.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0.00% 6.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0.38% 3,30% 3,30% 3.30% 3.30%
0,38% 3.30% 3.30% 3.30% 3.30%
3.96% 4.26% 4.05% 3.45% 4.39%
15.58% 15.58% 15.58% 15.58% 15.58%
2.47% 2.47% 2.47% 2.47% 2.47%
$42.920,265 $44,338,634 $45,799,743 $47.311,134 $48,872,402
$637,741,858 $658,787,339 $680,527,321 $702,984,723 $725,183,219
36.00% 36.00% 36.00% 36.00% 36.00%
$14,621.295 $15,131,188 $15,657,907 $16.202,008 $16,764,065
$28,298,970 $29,205,446 $30,141,835 $31.109,126 $32.108,337
8.00% 8.25% 8.50% 8.75% 9.00%
$2,263,918 $2.409,449 $2.582,056 $2,722,049 $2,889,750
$52,800 $52,800 $52.800 $52,800 $52.800
Number Of Slot Machines at DGP & C
Number of Slot Machines at Diamond Jo
1,000
729
Win Increase per Cummings Report Dated 11/3/03
Gaming Tax @ 36%
Purse Supp. @ Est. 8.00%
Rent ~ .5% Coin-in
Players Club Expense
Admission Tax (Based on 2003 Bud. Per Capita $42.08)
Net Revenue Increase
Expenses Restated as a % of Win
Less: Operating Expenses (Win X Operating Exp. %)
Additional Annual Cash Flow
Additional Monthly Cash Flow
$18,866,000
($6,791,760)
($965,939)
($1,451,231)
($483,744)
($224,168)
$8,949,158
27.51%
($5,189,451)
$3,759,707
$313,309
Income Statement for Casino Operation
Win
Operating Expenses
Less: Depreciation & Amortization
Less: Payroll for Supervisors/Dept. Heads/Senior Mgt.
Operating Expenses Restated
Expenses Restated as a % of Win
Budget 2003
$42,066,502
$15,301,240
$1,347,983
$2,382,068
$11,571,189
27.51%
Notes to User:
Project Cash Flow to Increase 3.30% Annually (Normal Annual Increase in Win = 3.30% Per Cummings)
No Increase in number of positions for supervisors, department heads, and senior mgr.
12/17/03 Reconfiguration 36% Tax Revised A.123
10
Loan Amortization
Inputs
Loan Principal Amount
Annual Interest Rate 7.50%
Loan Period in Years
Base Month of Loan
;(ey F~ures
Annual Loan Payments
Monthly Payments
interest in First Calendar Year
Interest Over Term of Loan
Sum of Ail Payments
$1,766,969.40
$147,247.45
$236,714.58
$2,788,785.80
$12,368,785.80
Sop $9,600,000.00 $147,247.45 $87~247.45 $60,000.00 $87,247.45 $60;009.00 $9,512,752,55
Oct $9,512,752.55 $147,247.45 $87,792.75 $59,454.70 $175,040.20 $119,454.70 $9,424,959.80
Nov $9,424,959.80 $147,247.45 $88,341.45 $58,906.00 $263.381.85 $178,360.70 $9,336,618.35
Dec $9,336,618.35 $147.247.45 $88,893.59 $58.353.86 $352,275.24 $238,714.56 $9,247,724.76
2006 Jan $9,247,724.76 $147,247.45 $89,449.17 $57,798,28 $441,724,41 $294.512.84 $9,158,275.59
Feb $9;158,276.59 $147,247.46 $90,008.23 $57,239.22 $531,732.64 $351,752.06 $9,068.267.36
Mar $9,068.267.36 $I47.247.45 $99,570.78 $56,676.67 $622,303.42 $408,428,73 $8,977,696.58
Apr $8,977,696.58 $147,247.46 $91,136.85 $56,110.60 $713,440.27 $464,539.33 $8,885,559.73
May $8,886,559.73 $147,247.46 $91,706.45 $55,541.00 $805,148.72 $520.080.33 $8,794.853.28
Jun $8.794.853.28 $147,247.45 $92,279.62 $54,967.83 $897,426.34 $575,048.16 $8.702,573.66
Jul $8.702,573.66 $147.247.45 $92,856.36 $54,391.09 $990,282.70 $629.439.25 $8,609,717.30
Aug $8,609,717.30 $147,247.45 $93,436.72 $53,810.73 $1,083,719.42 $683,249.98 $8,516.280.58
Year Balance Payments Principal
2006 $9.247,724.76 $1,766,969.40 $1,Ill,067.31 $655,902.09 $1,463,342.55
2007 $8,136.657.45 $1,766.969~40 $1,197,322.49 $569,646.91 $2,660,665.04
2008 $6,939,334.96 $1;766,969.40 $1,290,273.75 $476,695.66 $3,950,938.79
2009 $5.649,061.21 $1,766,969.40 $1,390,441.05 $376.528.35 $5,341,379.84
2010 $4,258,620.16 $I.766,969.40 $1,498,384.60 $268,584.80 $6,839,764,45
2011 $2,760,235.55 $1,766.969.40 $1,814,708.10 $152,281.30 $8,454,472,54
2012 $1.145,627,46 $1,177,979.60 $1,145,527.46 $32,452.14 $9.600.000.00
$892,816.55 $8,136,657.45
$1,482.263.56 $6,939,334.96
$1,938,959.21 $5,549,061.21
$2,315,487.56 $4,258.520.16
$2,584,072.35 $2,760.235.55
$2,736,333.66 $1,145,527.46
$2,768,786.80 $0.00
11
iNumber of Slot Machines at DGP & C 1,000
Assumes Diamond Jo at 729 Slot Machines)
-Sources of Funds
DRA Reserve - CIP Fund (Balance 11/30104)
DRA Reserve - Contingency Fund (Balance 11130104)
DRA Reserve - 5% of Operating (Balance of $894,510 11130104)
D & I Fund (11130104 Balance of $1,267,013 @ 50% to Fund Const.)
Distribution in 12104 less Reserve Fund Set Asides & 2005 CIP Expenditures
AvaiIabIe DGP & C Funds
$835,918
$3,916,961
$0
$633,507
$693,704
$6,080,090
Total Sources $15,622,195
Uses of Funds
Construction Project Budget
Slot Machines & Related Casino Equipment
Conbngency (Slot Machines & Related Equipment @ 5 ~ )
Additional Bankroll Requirements
Greyhound Park Drive Signage & Improvements
Total Uses
$9,298,735
$5,5O5,2OO
$275,26O
$293,OOO
$250,000
$15,622,195
12117103 reconfiguration - AAAF.123
DURR2 NT
Option #3
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
Dubuque, iowa
12 1,5
14
2
Date: 9/22/2003
Estimator: FJK
DESCRIPTION I QUANTiTY/UNIT I UN[T COST I COST
Demolition:
Count and iRGC/DCI for Casino Expansion 1,395 SF $5.00 $6,975
O~ce & Corridor for Casin? Expansion 4,805 SF $5.00 $24,025
West Deli for Casino Expansion 1,440 SF $8.00 $11,520
Center Food/Bar and Gift Shop for Relocated Deli 1,020 SF $4.00 $4,080
Exterior for Building Additions 1 LS $20,000.00 $20 000
New Construction in Existing Spaces:
' Casino Expansion 7,640 SF $175.00 $1,337,000
Deli (Incl Relocat!n.~g Existing Equipment) 1,020 SF $150.00 $153,000
8,660 SF
Total Renovation Ares J
New Construction in New Space ·
New Office Structure and Link . 11,464 SF ' $120.00 $1,375,68(
Count 1,536 SF $150.00 $230,40[
IRGC&DCi 1,000 SF $120.00 $120,00[
Break, Other 1,000 SF $120.00 $120,00£
C~sina Addition South 8,968 SF $220.00 $1,972,96(
Total New Area 23,968 SF
Renovation to Existing Casino·
New Carpei ' 12,800 SF SB.0l~ $76,80C
New Ceiling Tile ' 12,800 SF $4.00 $51,20C
New Wall Coverings 1 LS $~0,000
Exterior Fagade 1 LS $750,000.00
General Conditions @ 8% $430,051
Subtotal Construction Costs $8,733,891
Design/Construction Contingency @ 12% $808,043
Tot~[ Constructioq East $7,541,734
Other Costs:
Non Gaming FE&E 32,628 SF $8.00 ~281,024
Construction Management Fees @ 8% $452 504
A/E Design Fees @ 8.5% '$701,697
Other Soft Costs (Consultants, Testing, Misc.) ~ 3.5% i $341 77~
Entrance Sign & Lighting SC
Total Other Costs t $1,787,00u
13
Slot Machines $ 10,700
Slot Stands $ 240
Casino Seating $ 200
Player Tracking $ 1,200
Dpu and Wiring $ 1,680
Signage $ 400
Convert Existing Kiosks $ 22,000
New Self Redemption Kiosk $ 42,000
Promotional Kiosk $ 10,000
Oasis Software $ 138,500
Additional Polar & PC's $ 5,500
Hand Held Quickets $ 108,000
Casino Workstations $ 1,950
Printers for JP Station $ 700
Coin Wrappers $ 17,100
Currency Counters $ 2,400
Jet Sorts $ 15,100
Scales $ 2,000
New Wave Scanner $ 6,500
Calculators $ 150
Hard Count Carts $ 2,000
Soft Count Carts $ 5,000
Soft Count Jet Scan $ 120,000
Count Currency Counters $ 6,000
per unit Less 6% for Participation
per unit
per unit (includes replacing existing chairs)
per unit
per Dpu
per unit
Convert 3 existing to CasinoXchange
1 additional
2 for Lobby
Promo & Marketing Modules
1 for additional 300+ more games
Software and Hardware
1 for every Window
3 Additional
1 Additional
10 Additional
1 for every 2 Wind(~ws
2 Additional
1 Additional
1 for every Window + floor banks
1 additional
1 for every 200 games
1 additional 400+ games
1 at 200 games, 2 at 300+ games
4,023,200
~0,240
195,000
480,000
28,560
t60,000
86,000
42,000
20,000
~3s,560
5,500
108,000
23,400
2,I00
17,100
24,000
45,300
4,000
6,500
1~800
2,000
10,000
12,000
14
IDescription {Code
IRES I
Casino Slot Chair Replacement
28o41 2o6 1
$50,000
iRES
Stat Machine Replacements & Related Equipment
Computer Hardware Additions
Computer Hardware Replacements
Slot Sen/er Replacement
Software Additions
Sof'cware (Progressive System - from to DOS fo Windows)
Software and Hardware AddiUon (New Wave)
Sofl~vare AddiSon - Oasis Web Reports
Hardware & Software - Oasis Marketing Manager
Serving Counter- West End Deli
IRES {
RES
RES $97,200
RES $7,2OO
RES sac,000
$85,150
RES
RES
RES
RES
RES
RES
RES
RES
2oo6l 2oo7l 2008{ Tota,i
$1,188,7001 $1,154,900 $1,187,000
$22,8701
$96,179 $111,022
$0 $13,780
Piccadilly Circus Pizza Concept
Parkview Room Chair Replacement
Carpet * Winners Restaurant
Carpet - Park View Room
< chon Cook ng Island Equipment Replacement
Concrete Parking Stops for Parking Lot
Ffoor Scrubber Replacement
FIag Pole Replacement on Tote Board
Diesel Fuel Tank & Containment
Brush Assembly for Skid Steer
Carpet Scrubber Replacement
I 1/2 Ton Truck - Replaces 1986 Truck
Pickup Truck - Replaces 1996 Pickup
Addgionat Storage Facility { RES
Pickup Truck - Reptaces 2000 Pickup
=~adfo Replacements
*~e,~vathcher Management System
Jet S68n Currency Counter Replacement (Cummins)
Coin / Token Sar[er Replacements (4)
Coin Wrapper Replacement
Two-Pocket Jet Scan Currency Counter Replacement
;ummins Jet Scan MPC Replacement
Players Club Embosser
Ca pitsi Contingency
Telephone System
Site Design
~n~P riot Year Total)
Total
$85,o0ol
$4,046
!RES } $28,3251
iRES I
RES { $35,000
RESRESRESRES $5'0561 $3,210 $6,900 $5,300 11
$3,745
$7,500I
$38,0001
$10,6561 $16,971
J $14,518
$10,465 $10,779
$108,000
$150,000
$26,000
$14,901
$11,102
$20,979
$5,825
$13,000
RES $15,000 $15,0001 $15,000 $15,000
RES $35,000 ·
~ ???1 '~'~'~
RES ~ $188,469 $192,258
$1,688,559 $1,884,689 $1,922,579 $1,816,446
I $50,00C
$128,050 $128,05C;
$ ,240,500! $1,294,000 $8,065,100
$22,670
$498,874
$99,818 $178,262 $97,200 $80,000
$0 $14,560 $35,540
$85,150
$58,500
$80,000
$88,000
$57,012
$108r000
$150,000
$4,045'
$18,315
$28,325
$24,000
$24,000
$105,000
$3,210
$5,056
$3,745
$5,300
$7,500
$38,000
$26,000
$5o,oooi $5o,0oo
$11,435 $28,000 $28r000I
$27,495 $9,126 $79,150
$11,778 $55T550
$36,892 $37,998 $74T890
$20,979
$5,625
$I25,5001 $125,500
{ $13,000
$15,000 $75,000
$35r000
$2 ~$,~$9,~
RES = CIP Po~on of 25% Reserve Fund
O & I = Dept. &improvement Fund
Total
OPER : Operating Cash
$9,313,142
$1,688,5595050 $1,884,5895050 $1,922,5795050 $%815,4465050 $2,000,3695050 $9,313,1425050
$1,688,559 $1,684,689 $1,922,579 $1,816,446
)scription I I 20031 2OO4T 20~ 200eI
gozi
& I Fund Balance Calculation
& I Fund Balance (Includes Restricted Funds)
md Balance (Includes Restricted Funds)
.~stdcted Funds
md Balance Available
$973,110 $I,119,037 $1,267,013 $1,418,609 $1,574,155 $1,733,509
$120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000
$o N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
$o $-o $-o $~o $-o
$25,927 $27,978 $31,675 $35,467 $39,354 $43,338
$1,119,037 $1,267,0t3 $1,4t8,688 $1,574,t55 $t,733,509 $1,896,847
($250,000) ($250,000) ($250,000) ($250,000) ($250,000) ($25O,O0O
;IP Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
Jnd Balance Start Of Fiscal Year
esources - Annual Payment (Start of Fiscal Year)
sas - Prior Year (Funds Trans[erred Current Year)
rejects Defened / Deleted
:estricted Funds (5% Of Operating Expenses)
lestdcted Funds - Contingency - From (To)
lestricted Funds - Debt ReselYe
$2,996,260 $1,486,775 $835,918 $181,210 ($477,530) ($%037,8291
$2,568,000 $1,405,000 $1,629,591 $1,678,110 $1,673,879 $1,682,306
($1,629,198) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
($1,807,492) ($1,688,559) ($1,884,880) ($1,922,579) ($1,516,446) ($2,000,06§
$0 N/A N/A N/A NrA N/A
($76,271) ($31,472) ($30,933) ($31,597) ($30,437) ($37,7~7
($622,932) ($344,132) ($399,665) ($411,628) ($410,861) ($411,140
$o $o $o $o $o $0
$38,408 $25,306 $30,988 $28,954 $23,565 $7,000
$11465~775 $835r918 $16t~210 {$477,530) {$1~037~829) {$1,799~279
i% of Operating Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
I
$786,787 $863,038 $894,510 $925,443 $957,040 $987,477[
$76,271 $31,472 $30,933 $31,597 $30,437 $37,747
$8631038 $894~9t0 $925,443 $957,040 $997,477 $1,0251224
:und Balance Start Of F, iscal Year
~esources - Annual Payment (Stari of Fiscal Year)
I
$2,872,707 $3,534,047 $3,916,961 $4,381,374 $4,888,863 $5,458,715!
$822,932 $344,132 $399,665 $411,628 $410,861 $411,140
I
$38,408 $38,782 $64,749 $95,860 $158,992 $176,096[
3ontingency Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
:und Balance Start Of Fiscal Year
ncrease (Decrease) - (Start of Fiscal Year)
aterest Income
=und Balance
I
$0 $o $o $o $o $0[
$-o $-0 $-0 $ o $ o $-o
I
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
$o $0 $0 $o $0 $o
Debt Reserve Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
Fund Balance Stad Of Fiscal Year
increase - (Stud of Fiscal Year)
Prepayment of Debt (Debt ~gtired in Fiscal 1999)
Fund Balance
DRA Reserve Fund Percentage Allocations
Restricted Funds - Operating (Balance to equal 5% of Operating Budget)
Early Debt Retirement
capga[ Improvements
Contingency
0,00%
75.00%
25 00%
16
IDescription
Sand Replacement - Racetrack
~asino Slot Chair Replacement
Slot Machine Replacements &Related Equipment
Computer Hardware Additions
~are (Progressive S~ystem - from to DOS to Windows)
Software and Hardware Addition (New Wave)
~rtware Addition - Oasis Web Reports
-~ardware & Software - Oasis Marke6ng Manage
Hardware & Software - Oasis Hand Held QuicketS
Food & Beverage Point of Sale Replacement
~er~ing Counter- West End Deli
Carpet - Park View Room
~ ~quipment Repla~cement
Concrete Parking Stops for Parkin0 Lot
Floor Scrubber Replacement
Flag Pole RepIacement on Tote Board
Diesel Fuel Tank & Centammen~
Brush Assembly for Skid Steer
Carpet Scrubber Replacement
I 1/2 Ton Truck - Replaces 1988 Truck
Pickup Truck - Replaces 1996 Pickup
Additional Storage F aci~li
Pickup~Truck - Replaces 2000 Pickup
~,adio Re__placements
Ke,~,~athcher Management System
et Scan Currency Counfer Replacement (Cummins)
;Din / Token Sorter Replacements (4~))
~rapper Replacement
Two-Pocket Jet Scan Currency Counter Replacement
Cummins Jet Scan MPS Replacement
Pl~rs Club Embosser
Capitat Contingency
Site Design
Prior Year Total)
200 2606 2007
$50,000
$86,179
$7,2001~ $0!
$80,000
$85,150
$38,000
$57,012
$4,046
$18,315
$3,210
$6,9O0 $5,3~00
$5,056
$3,745
$7,500
$10,656 i $16,971
$10,465
$15,000
$2,255,300
$28,325
$35,000
$24,000
$26,000
$50,000
$14,901 $27,495
$11,435
$56,892
$13,000
$15,000 $15,000
$168,~ $188,__ $286,327
$1,688,559 $505,289 $2,863,266 $1,786,465
2005L TotalI
$50,000
$1,164,800 $5,725,050
$22,870
$178,262 $498,874
$97,200
$14,560 $35,540
$80,000
$85,150
$38,000
$150,000
$87,012
$4,046
$18,315
$28,32h
$24,000
$7,5OO
$125,500 $125,500
$13,000
$0
$1,868,471 $8,712,049
Total
RES = CIP Pordon of 25% Reserve Fund
D & I = Dept. & Improvement Fund
OPER = OperaUng Cash
Total
$8,712,049
$1,888,559 $505,289 $2,863,266 $1,786,465 $1,868,471 $8,712,049
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
$%688,559 $505,289 $2,863,~56 $%786,485 $1,868,471
17j 17/03 2004cipf reconfiguration 1000 AAAF 123
Fund Balance Calculation {
& i Fund Balance (Includes Restricted Fuflds) $973,110 $1,119,037 $633,506 $769,344 $908,577 $1,051,292 $1,197,574 $1,347,513 $~,501,201 $1,658,731
}sources - Annual Paymenls $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000
;IP Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
und Balance Start O{ Fiscal Year
esources - Anrtual Paymenl (Starl of F[scat Year)
ses- Paler Year (Funds Transferred Current Year)
Ises - Current Year
$2,996,260 $~,4fi6,775 $0 ($0) ($1,476,226) ($f,633,208) ($%647,327) ($2,935,221) ($4,072,564) ($5,256,339~
($1,699,196) N/A NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA N/A NIA
($1,907,492) ($1,688,559) {$505+289) ($2,665,266} ($1,786,465) ($/,86§,471) ($2,748,349) ($2,852,593) ($2,957,629) ($3,063,463
$0 ($835,918) ($693,795) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A NIA NIA
($76,271) ($31,472) ($30,933) ($31,597) ($30,437) ($37,747) ($38,993) ($40,279) ($41.609) ($42,952
($S22,932) ($344,132) ($399,665) ($462,347) ($543,161) ($551,450) ($553,485) ($571,750) ($590,616) ($610,106
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
5% of Operating Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
I
$766,767 $863,038 $894,510 $925,443 $957,040 $987,477 $1,025,224 $1,064,217 $1,104,496 $1,f46,105[
$76,271 $31,472 $30,933 $31,597 $30,437 $37,747 $38,993 $40,279 $41,609 $42,962
I
I
$2,872,707 $3.534,047 ($0) $405,659 $805,366 $1,471,363 $2,083,51 S $2,715,113 $3,306,499 $4,096,430 [
$622,932 $344,132 $399,665 $462,347 $543,161 ' $551,450 $553,485 $571,750 $590,618 $610,105
$0 ($3,916,961) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
$36,408 $35,7§2 $5,995 $17,360 $42856 $60,68~ $79,110 $98,636 $119,313 $141,196
$3~534~047 {$0t $495,659 $865~366 $1~471,383 $2~§83,516 $2~716~113 $3~386~499 $4~D96,430 $4,~47~734
Contingency Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
Fund Salar~ce Start el Fiscal Year
$~0 $-0 $-0 $-0 $-0 $-0 $~0 $-0 $-0 $-0
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Debt Reserve Fund of DRA Reserve Fund
Fund Balance Stad Of Fiscal Year
DRA Reserve Fund Percentage.Allocations
$869,037 $383,506 $5/9,344 $658,577 $801,292 $947,574 $1,097,513 $1,251,20f $1,406,731 $1,579,199
$1,466,775 $0 ($0) ($1,476,226) ($1,633,205) ($1,847,327) ($2,935,221) ($4,072,564) ($5,258,339) ($6,491,498
Slot Department (imprOvement 1000 machines)
Estimated Forecast for the Purchase of New Slot Machines and Related Equipment
Number Estimated Other Total
iscal Year Budget Item of Units Cost Subtotal Taxes Cost Cost
2006 Slot Machine Replacements & Related Equipment 190 $11,000.00 $2,090,000.00 $146,300.00 $19,000.00 $2,255,300.00
Grant Total $2,258,300.00
2007
Slot Machine Replacements & Related Equipment
Grant Total
9O
$11,500.00 $1,035,000.00
$72,450.00
$9,000.00 $1,116,450.00
$1,116,450.00
!
2008 Slot Machine Replacements & Related Equipment I 90
Grant Total
$12,000.001 $1,080,000.00
$75,600.00
$9,000.001
$1,164,600.0C
$1,164,600.00
2009 SIOtGrantMachineTotaiReplacements & Related Equipment 150 $12,500.00 $1,875,000.00 $131,250.00 $15,000.00 $2,02152,021,250.00,250.00
2010
Slot Machine Replacements & Related Equipment
Grant Total
150 $13,000.00 $1,950,000.00
$136,500.00
$15,000.00 $2,101,500.00
$2,101,600.00
2011 150 $13,500.001 $2;025,000.00 $141,750.00 $15,000.00 $2,181,750.0052,18t ,750.00
Slot Machine Replacements & Related Equipment
Grant Total
2012
Slot Machine Replacements & Related Equipment
Grant Total
150 $14,000.00 $2,100,000.00 $147,000.00 $15,000.00 $2,262,000.00
$2,262,000.00
Notes:
All calculations are based on assumptions not factual information.
Other Cost includes Shipping and Handling.
Year 2005 there would be no replacement of existing games, due to purchase of new 9ames for improvement.
In year 2006, we would replace all remaining IGT S-plus games in addition to replacing older outdated video products.
Years 2007 and 2008 represent 15% of 600 games, while years 2009 to 2012 represents 15% of 1000 games. In these years we would tW
to replace 15% of the boxes, while conver[ing another 10% to new game themes.
American ust
Simply better ba~king: ~'
895 Main Street
P.O. Box 938
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0938
563.589.0849
Fax 589.0860
tutzJg@americantrust, com
www. americantrust, com
Thomas J. Utzig
Executive Vice President
Chief Credit Officer
December 22, 2003
Mr. Bruce Wentworth, General Manager
Dubuque Greyhound Park& Casino
P.O. Box 3190
Dubuque, lA 52004-3190
Dear Bruce:
American Trust & Savings Bank and Dubuque Bank & Trust Company ("Banks") are
pleased to provide the following credit facility to the Dubuque Racing Association
("DRA") for the planned slot casino expansion and remodeling of the Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino.
Credit Amount: Not to exceed $10,500,000 for 1000 machine expansion
Credit Purpose:
Finance purchase of gaming devices and equipment, and finance
the renovation and expansion project at the Dubuque Greyhound
Park & Casino.
Collateral:
This credit will collateralized by a general business security
agreement on substantially all assets of the Dubuque Greyhound
Park & Casino. Additionally, an assignment of the lease between
the city of Dubuque and the DRA will be obtained. A negative
pledge agreement, from the city of Dubuque, will be obtained se
the assets cannot be assigned or mortgaged by the city without
the express written consent of the Banks.
Construction Loan:
initially, there will be one construction multiple advance loan
availed for the entire amount of the proposed financing based
upon the number of machines to be obtained. This will be a
vadable rate loan set up for a 12-month interest only period. The
rate will be 25 basis points above The Wall Street Journal Pdme
('Prime"). Interest will be paid monthly and will be based upon the
amount outstanding on the loan. If funding today, the initial
interest rate would be 4.25 percent
Term Facility: The term loan will be amortized over a maximum of sev.en years.
We are offedng the following financing options:
2
American Trust & Savings Bank
Mr. Bruce Wentwor[h
December 22, 2003
Page 2 of 3
Loan-1000 Machines
Amount
Amortization
Term of loan
Interest Rate
Scenario 1
$10 500,000
seven years
three-year
balloon
Fixed at Pdme
plus 0.95%
Scenario 2
$10,500,000
seven years
five-year balloon
Fixed at Pdme
plus 1.65%
Scenario 3
$10,500,000
seven years
seven years
Fixed at Pdme
plus 2.5%
Rate if funding today 4.95% 5.65% 6.50%
Min. payment if funding today $148,510 $152,040 $156,395
Scenario 4
$10,500,000
seven yea~
seven yea~
Vadable at
Prime plus
0.25%
4.25%
$145,030
OR
Fixed principal
of $125.000
~)lus accrued
interest
Fixed-rate financing proposals are subject to prepayment penalties to be negotiated at a
later date.
*if you choose the vadable rate option and elect to have a set monthly principal and
interest payment, we will balloon the note every year to readjust the payment in order to
maintain the intended amortization schedule.
pre-funding Conditions:
1. Renewal of the lease between the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino and the city
of Dubuque.
2. Satisfactory consent by the city of [~ubuque for the subordinatien of prC~t:shafing
revenues until the Banks' loans are repaid
3. Satisfactory approval of the expansion project by the Iowa Gamin Cornm~asion.
Satisfactory review of the licenses for operating the slot casino atthe DubUque
Greyhound Park & Casino.
Other General Conditions:
The proposed credit facility wilt be governed by a credit agi-eernent between the Banks
and the DRA. This agreement will contain a number of conditions including, but not
limited to:
3
American Trust & Savings Bank
Mr. Bruce Wentworth
December 22, 2003
Page 3 of 3
1 The credit facility will be subject to documentation as may be required by the Banks
and their legal counsel.
2. The Banks are to receive a peri'ected first lien on all collateral.
3. The DRA wilt provide the Banks with annual audits of its operations, as well as
quarterly internal financial statements.
4. The DRA will be responsible for all expenses related to the preparation and closing
of the credit fadlities including, but not limited to, filing fees, and legal expenses.
Amedcan Trust & Savings Bank shall serve as the lead bank for the credit facilities.
Dubuque Bank & Trust Company will be purchasing an equal share of the credit amount.
Therefore. all documents will be prepared in the name of Amedcan Trust & Savings
Bank.
Amedcan Trust & Savings Bank and Dubuque Bank & Trust Company are appreciative
of the opportunity to assist the Dubuque Racing Association with the expansion project.
Purpose of Letter:
This letter shall not be deemed as evidence of a binding agreement on the part of either
the Banks or the Borrower. important terms may remain to be negotiated, and even if an
agreement in pnncipal should be reached on the terms of the financing at a subsequent
date, neither party to the financing shall be legally bound until definitive loan documents
have been signed by the respective part~es.
If the foregoing terms are in accordance with what we discussed, please indicate
acceptance on both of the enclosed originals of this letter and return on fully signed
original. If such acceptance is not received by us on or before January 21 2004. this
proposal shall expire.
Sincerely,
Executive Vice President
Amedcen Trust & Savings Bank
Douglas J. Horstmann
Executive Vice President
Dubuque Bank & Trust Company
Agreed and accepted this
day of January, 2004.
Dubuque Racing Association
by:
I
DATE:
MEMO TO:
FROM:
RE:
December 22, 2003
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Brian D. Southwood ~-
Casino Expansion
Background:
The Dubuque Racing Association Executive Committee directed staff to investigate the
feasibility of expanding the casino. Staff made initial contact with Jeter, Cook and Jepsen of
Hartford Connecticut at the gaming show in Las Vegas. JCJ with the ass/stance of the Durram
Group from Dubuque prepared various floor plans fo~ our consideration. Each floor plan entailed
a large addition. While the concepts were intriguing the cost was out of the realm of possibility.
The Executive Committee asked us to next investigate the expanding of the casino within the
existing building. Staff contacted Dun'ant for assistance.
Discussion:
Durrant presented staff with four alternatives to expand the casino. After the initial review staff
asked Durrant m mfme two of the options, prepare revised cost est/mates, and re-look at the JCJ
proposal. Under all options the casino floor space needed to be large enough to accommodate
1,000 slot machines.
The option being presented constructs a new 2-story office building west of the ex~sting facility
with a~ enclosed link to the existing facility. A casino addition is added to the south side of th6
facility west of the front canopy. The existing office area is remodeled for casino space as well
as additional restrooms. The front of the facility will receive a new look also.
Areas to be demolished include:
· The entire Cage, Count, IRGC/DCI and Office area.
· Deli area on the west side of the facility.
· Gift Shop and Food/Bar area in the center of the building.
· Players Club and Program Sales.
· Mumel lines in the Grandstand area.
P.O. Box 3190 ' DUBUQUE. IA 52004-3190" PHONE 563.582.3647 ' FAX 563.582.9074
2
New construction includes:
· Freestanding support building ~vith enclosed link
o Offices
o Count
o Slot Operations
o MIS
o Surveillance
o IRGC and DCI
· Casino expansion in existing office area
· Casino expansion in Deli area
· Casino addition to the south including additional restrooms
· New Deli in the centerof the building
· New building favade on the south side.
· New combined program sales and Gift Shop area.
· Expanded Coat Room.
· New Players Club.
· New Mutuel lines and table seating in the Grandstand.
Time Line:
The following time line assumes all approvals are in place.
Presentation to Executive Committee
Presentation to DRA Board
Presentation to City Council
Presentation ro IRGC
Start construction on support building
Start favade and site improvements
Start casino addition
Support building occupied
Favade and site improvements completed
Casino addition completed
Start Casino renovation (Phase 1)
Casino renovation (Phase !) completed
Start Casino renovation (Phase 2)
Casino renovation (Phase 2) completed
12/16/2003
12/19/2003
01/05/2004
01/15/2004
03/17/2004
08/02/2004
04/19/2004
10/1/2004
12/31/2004
02/28/2005
03/01/2005
05/16/2005
05/17/2005
08/01/2005
Approved
Approved
Using the above construction schedule it is anticipated that we would hr/ye 750 to 800 slot
machines 9perational by March 1, 2005 with the total of 1,000 machines operational August 1,
2005.
DURRANT
Construction Project Budget
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
Dubuque. Iowa
Date: 12~11/2003
Estimator: FJK
DESCRIPTION I QUANTITY/UNIT I UNITCOST [ COST
Demolition:
i Count and tRGC/DCI for Casino Expansion 11395 SF $5.00 $6,975
Office & Corridor for Casino Expansion 4,805 SF $5.00 $24,025
West Dell for Casino Expansion 1,440 SF . $8.00 $11,520
Center Food/Bar and Gift Shop for Relocated Deli 1,020 SF $4.00 $4,080
Extedor for Building Additions 1 LS $20,000.00 $20,000
New Construction in Existing Spaces:
Casino Expapsion' 7,640 . SF $175.00 $1,337,00£
Deli(Incl Relocating Existing Equipment) 1,020 SF $150.00 $153,00£
Total Renovation Area . 8,660 SF
New Construction in New Space
New Office Structure and Link 11,464 SF $120.00 $1,375,68C
Count 1,536 SF $150.00 $230,40(3
IRGC & DCl 1,000 SF $120.00 $120,000
Break, Other 1,000 SF $120.00 $t20,000
Casino Addition South 8,968 SF $220.00 $1,972,96(3
Total New Area 23,968· SF
Renovation to Existing Casino
New Carpet 12,800 SF $6.00 ' $76,800
NewCeiling Tile 12,800 SF $4.00 $51,200
NewWa Coverings 1 LS $50,000
Exterior Fa~Tade · 1 LS $750,000.00 $750,000~
General Conditions @ 8% · $430,051
Subtotal Construction Costs . $6,733,691
Design/Construction Contingency @ 12% ' . $808,042
Total Construction Cost $7,541,734
Dther Costs:
Non Gaming FF&E · 32,628 SF $8.00 . $261,024
Construction Management Fees (~ 6% - $452,504
A/E Design Fees @ 8.5% $701,597
Other Soft Costs (Consultants, Testing, Misc.) @ 3.5% ' ' $341,775
Total Other Costs $1,757,000
Total Construction Costs I $7,541,734;
Total Project Costs $9.298.735
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino - 2004 Improvements
Proiect Schedule Narrative
Projec~ Development Phase: Start Date Finish Date Duration
Owner Meeting to Review Progress 12/2/:~003 I
i 90% Submittal for DGP&C Ex. Committee 12/12/2003
DRA Ex. Committee Presentation 12/16/2003
DRA Board of Directors Presentation 12/19/2003
Presentation Pack for City Council 12/23/2003
Presentation Pack for IRGC 1/5/2004 ·
Design Phase
Bid Package #1
IDesign Development 12/22/2003 1/15/2004 4 Wks
Construction Documents 1/16/2004 2/17/2004
To Bidders 2/13/2004 4 Wks
Bid Package #2
IDesign Development 1/16/2004 i 2/5/2004 3 Wks
'Construction Documents I 2/6/2004J 3/17/2004 6 Wks
To Bidders 3/19/2004
Bid Package #3
Design Development 1/5/2004 1/30/2004 4 Wks
Construction Documents 2/2/2004 3/17/2004 7 Wks
To Bidders 3/19/2004
Bid Package ~
I Design Development 2/2/2004 3/3/2004 4 Wks
Construction Documents 3/4/2004 4/28/2004 8 Wks
, To B dders
I I 4~30~2004
Construction Phase
Support Building 28.6 Wks
Bid Package #1 & #2 Work 3/1712004 9/17/2004 26.6 Wks
Inspection, Punchlist Work & Move-in 9~20~2004 10/1/2004 2 Wks
Exterier Fa~;ade & Site Improvements 8/2/2004 1213112004 22 Wks
Casino Expansion 68.4 Wks
Bid Package #3 & #4 Work 4/19/2004 1131/2004 64.2 Wks
~nspection & Punchlist Work 2/1/2005 '2/18/2005 3 Wks
Slot & Other Equipment Move-In 2/1/2005 2/28/2005 · 4 Wks
Casino Renovation Phase 1
J Renovation Work, Inspection & Punchlist 3/1/2005 5/9/2005 10 Wks
SPot & Other Equipment Move-In . 4/26/2005 5/16/2005 3 Wks
Casino Renovation Phase 2
Renovation Work, Inspection & Punchlist 5t17/2005 7/25/2005 10 Wks
S ct & Other Equipment Move-ln 7/12/2005 8/1/2005 I 3 Wks
Schedule Narrative Rl.xls 12/11/2003
CAGE
GENERAL MGR
ASST. GM COMPTROLLER
MANAGER
MARKET
OFFICE~
MGR ]1
WAITING
MAIL
RECEP.
TRAINING
CONFERENCE
VEST.
SLOT
SUPER
SLOT
MGR
SLOT
DIR
GENERAL/
SUPER
DIR
H.R.
GEN
R.
DIR
COMPUTER
ROOM
SLOT TECH ~
RECV.
II
DOCK
HARD
COUNT
SOFT
COUNT
AGENT 3 INTER.
AGENT2
AGENT1
ROOM
IRGC
II LICENSE
GAMiNGREP lWOFFICE
OFFICES
MECHANICAL,
STORAGE,
AND EXPANSION
MEN
soulq~gm O00I
~pn;s sgu!mmn~)
Cummings Associates
Projections for the Revenue~
of an Expanded Slot Facility
at
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
December 2, 2003
· 135 Jason Street, Arlington, Massachusetts 02476
Telephone: 781-641-1215 - Fax: 641-0954 - e-mail: cummingsw~aol.com
2
Contents
1. Introduction / Overview
2. Methodology and Projections
3. Conclusion
Bibliography
1
2
5
6
Exhibits
Cummings Associates
List of Exhibits
(all follow the text)
1. DGP&C Slot Utilization
2. Dubuque and Surrounding Casino Markets (Wide-area map)
3. Dubuque and Nearby Casino Markets (close-up map)
4. (graph) Spending on DGP&C's Slots Declines With Distance
5. (graph) Spending on DGP&C's Slots Declines With Distance (continued)
6. (graph) Log-Transformed Spending Declines With Distance
7. (graph) Log-Log Transformed Spending Declines With Distance
8. Slot Revenues (Spending) in Iowa Markets
9. Slot Revenues (Spending) in Broader Range o.f Markets
10. Total Casino Revenues (Spending) in Broader Markets
11. Baseline Proj ecfions (with Capacity Already Added at Marquette and
Dubuque Diamond do)
12. Model Projections for 1000 Slots at DGP&C
Cummings Associates
4
Projections for the Revenues
of an Expanded Slot Facility
at Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino'
1. Introduction / Overview
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino (DGP&C) is considering a renovation and expansion
of its slot-machine facility. The existing Casino, with 600 slot machines, was retrofitted into the
original greyhound facility. Current volumes of customer traffic and casino win ($41.3 million in
FY2003) are far greater than originally projected. For extended periods from Friday afternoon
through early Sunday evening, more than half of the slots are being played; at these times, some
~ustomers must likely settle for their second-choice machine (see Extfibit t). At peak periods,
more than 80% of the machines are in play; at these times, some customers get no machine. To
relieve the crowding, enhance the players' experience, and improve the efficiency of operations, a
larger, more attractive facility appears warranted.
To develop projections for the results of such an expansion, I have applied the detailed
"gravity model" that I developed in my recent study for the Iowa Racing and Gaming
Commission.z This model estimates consumers' spending from each county in Iowa and most
of the counties in surrounding states, and allocates that spending to roughly 80 alternative
casino locations across the Midwest.
This model indicates that much business currently comes to Dubuque from other markets,
and that some flows from Dubuque to them in return. (This is confirmed by DGP&C's players'
club data. Rougi~ly 24% of their spending cm]ae from members who lived closer to another
casino than to either of the two in Dubuque.) These customers who slosh about among markets
will, with a larger facility at DGP&C, likely spend more time and money there.
I have applied the gravity model with parameters regarding the impacts of distance, casino
capacity (number of slots), and other factors affecting consumers' choices among competing
casinos exactly the same as in my study for the Racing and Gaming Commission. The only
major change in the model has been to split the Dubuque market between DGP&C and the
Diamond Jo.2 As indicated in Exhibit 12, if DGP&C were to add another 400 slot machines,
bringing its total to 1,000, I project that total slot revenues would rise to $60.2 million (in
FY2003 dollars). Impacts on other casinos in Iowa, even on the Diamond Jo, would be relatively
modest.
~ As described in Analys~s of Current Markets for Casino Gaming in Iowa, with Projec#ons for the
Revenues and Impacts of Potential New Facilities, October 7, 2003.
2 In making pmjecfious for the future, I have also updated the number of slots in use at the Marquette
and Dubuque riverboat casinos to those reported at September 30. These are slightly highe? than the
number that were in use across FY2003 as a whole that I used in my report of October 7.
Cummings Associates
5
2
2. Methodology and Projections
Exhibit 2 presents a map in which the position of the Dubuque market is indicated among
all the markets of Iowa and most of those of the surrounding states. A blow-up of. the Dubuque
area itself is presented in Exhibit 3.
While casino customers do tend to visit the facility that is most convenient to them, the sheer
number Of surrounding casinos and resulting variety of operations provides the residents of this
area with an exceptionally wide range of alternatives. As indicated on Exhibit 3, in addition to
the two casinos in Dubuque itself there are ten competing casinos within roughly a two-hour
drive, and these casinos offer more than 11,000 slot machines. The market catchment areas
indicated on these maps should therefore be interpreted very loosely, as the "fuzziest" of divisions
between each area.
As described in my October report, casino customers' rates of visitation decline with
distance. This occurs for two reasons: first, the further away one lives from any casin6, the less
likely (and less frequently) one is likely to visit, simply because it is not so convenient as for
those people who live closer. Second, the further away one lives from any specific casino, the
closer one is likely to live to one or more casinos elsewhere, and since those are more accessible,
they are the target of more of that consumer's visits.
The operation of these two factors can be seen in data from DGP&C's players club. As at
most casinos these days, membership in this club, and the resulting data, are substantial; club
members contributed approximately 41% of total coin-in over the past year. Only 62%, however,
of this coin-in came from the "Core'~ area immediately surrounding Dubuque; another 13% came
from "bord&' areas, equally accessible to at least one other casino; and the rest, nearly 24%,
came from people who clearly live closer to one or more other casino(s) than to Dubuque.
I divided the estimated slot win from each of the surrounding areas by the corresponding
adult population to calculate the average annual win, or spending, per adult. There is clearly .a
decline, though somewhat erratic, with distance, as indicated in Exhibit 4. (These figures are
much lower than the "baseline" rates of total casino spending that I cite elsewhere because from
almost all these areas, particularly those closer to other casinos, people spend more at the
competition than at DGP&C. Even from Dubuque itself, roughly equal amounts are likely being
spent at the Diamonddo.)
Beyond the core area, after about 50 miles, the rates of spending at DGP&C are clearly
depressed by competition from other casinos, ffwe limit consideration to those areas with/n 50
miles (Exhibit 5), there is a nice declining curve with distance; and if we transform one or both
the variables to log terms (in order to more accurately represent proportional changes, or as we
economists are fond of doing calculate elasticities), the relationships are fairly nice straight Lines
(Exhibits 6 and 7).
Cummings Associates
3
These lines, while straight, decline at greater rates than we have seen in survey data from
other markets? One reason remains the increasing accessibility of competing casinos at greater
distances; for Stephenson County, Illinois, for example, at 48 miles, Clinton is nearly as
convenient as Dubuque, and Wisconsin Dells and Elg/n lie not much farther away. But there is
also likely a ~filtef' effect in the data: lOCal customers can and do attend more frequently, and
club membership is more to their benefit. At the other extreme, people who only visit the casino
once (most of those from great distances) are not at all likely to join the club. There is therefore a
bias in the data toward local patronage and away from longer-distance customers. For these
reasons I have not used DGP&C's players club data to adjust my Iowa casino model in any way.
Based upon data from a broad range of markets, I believe the model as k stands provides the most
reasonable method for analyzing and projecting casino spending in Dubuque as well as all the
other markets of Iowa. With allowances for the competition and "filtef' effects of distance, the
model is very consistent with the data from DGP&C's players club.
I updated the analyses described in my October report, which examined the Dubuque market
as one aggregate comprised of both casinos, by representing DGP&C and the Diamond Jo
individually. All other model parameters were left unchanged.
Exhibit 8 updates one of my analyses by dividing the slot-machine revenues of each major
market in Iowa by the corresponding '~distance-adjusted" adult populations. While it also
accounts for variables such as casino size (number of slot machines), this "effective" adult
population figure is most heavily dependent on distance from the nearest casino. The slot
spending figures in the final column represent the average amount spent by those people for
whom casinos are quite accessible (defined in the model as "within ten miles").
Generally, markets with higher such figures are "better," in the sense that they achieve
higher revenues in relation to their market populations than those with lower spending ratios.
There are many possible reasons for this: better facil!ties, a high propensity to gamble, or an
influx of visitors from outside the area. Based upon DGP&C's players-club data, the latter
appears to be the major cause in Dubuque (not to discount the quality of its facilities or the
propensity of its residents to gamble). In particular, the relatively high figure for spending at
DGP&C does not in our opinion imply that the maiket is near "saturation," nor that there is little
room for further growth. DGP&C is simply doing a good job of attracting customers from a
distance, and/or winning slightly more than its "fair share" of patronage in competition with its
closest competitor, the Diamond Jo.
As indicated in Exhibit 9, DGP&C falls near the high end of the range of slot spending
across Iowa, while the Diamond Jo appears near the low end. That range is not wide, however -
DGP&C's figure of $605 is just seven percent higher than the Diamond Jo's $565. There are
3 And at greater rates than ind/cated by other statistical analyses, as described in my paper, lfJFou
Build It, They Will Come - But How Far? The "Distcmce Factor" in Regional Gaming Markets,
presented to the 12' International Conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking, Vancouver, B.C., May 30,
2003.
Cummings Associates
7
4
many other markets with figures in the same ballpark: all the rest of Iowa, South Dakota with its
VLTs (and casinos at Deadwood), Colorado, New Jersey+Delaware, and at the very high end (of
"normal" markets, i.e., excluding Nevada), Mississippi+Louisiana. Many of the markets of the
Midwest that cluster lower, in the $480-$550 range, suffer from crosvded conditions, constraints
on play, and/or less attractive facilities than those in Iowa. Many also attract greater table
spending than Iowa's casinos (note how the other markets move up relative to Iowa in Exhibit
10, which presents total casino spending, including table games), so the public (and/or casino
operators) may to some extent be substituting tables for slots elsewhere.
To develop projections, I then applied my detailed Iowa/Midwest gravity model in two
stages. (This type of model is called a "gravity model" because, in its simplest form, it works like
Newton's law of gravitation: attraction increases in proportion to the "mass" of the attracting
obi ect [i.e., number of slot machines at each casino], but declines with the square of the distance.
When one casino is very close, therefore, and others are distant, almost all of the business goes to
the one close at hand. In addition to distance and casino capacity, or number of slots, the model
also includes relationships with urban/rural characteristics, per capita income, ~'ddve-by"/micro-
access factors, and variable distance coefficients reflecting differences in facilities' [and/or
markets'] "reach"/accessibility.)
The first stage, the results of which are depicted in Exhibit 11, accounts for the fact that two
nearby casinos have already added small numbers of slot machines over the complements that
they employed over the twelve months ending June 30, 2003 ("FY2003"), the period that formed
the baseline for my October report regarding all the markets of Iowa. The riverboats at
Marquette and Dubuque added 9 and 22 slot machines, respectively, which have likely led to
modest increases in their revenues (with a portion of those increases representing diversion from
DGP&C).
I then re-ran the model with every parameter unchanged except for the number of slot
machines at DGP&C, which I raised (from the current 600) to a total of 1,000.4 The results are
presented in Exhibit 12. Under these assumptions, DGP&C's slot revenues are projected to rise
by 46% (from FY2003), to $60,201,000. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, only a modest portion
of the increase of $18.9 million comes directly from the Diamond Jo: roughly $3.6 million. The
balance comes from a wide variety of other sources, largely casinos in other states (not shown in
this exhibit). It is primarily the population in nearby areas of Wisconsin and Illinois that is "in
play" in competition with other casinos. The model therefore indicates that with its expansion,
DGP&C can increase its pene~wation of these markets with limited impacts on the other facilities
in Iowa.
4 Note that all my projections assume the m-opening of the Native American casino at Tama, Iowa,
winch has been closed since May.
Cummings Associates
8
5
3. Conclusion
My detailed gravity model indicates that with an increase to 1,000 slot machines, DGP&C's
slot revenues will rise by $18.9 million (from their level in FY2003) to a total of $60.2 million.
Although revenues may rise by more or less, depending on the relative "quality" and
attractiveness of the new facility, I believe this represents the most reasonable expectation for its
performance.
My analyses and projections are based upon the assumptions described herein. Some of
these assumptions will inevitably not materialize, and unanticipated events and
circumstances will occur. The actual results will therefore vaIy from my projections,
and such variations may be material.
Cummings Associates
6
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Christiansen/Cummings Associates, Inc., et al., Legal Gambling in
Connecticut: Assessment of Current Statztx and Options for the Future,
lanuary, 1992.
Christiansen/Cummings Associates, Inc., Iowa Statewide Casino Market
Analysis, October 12, 1995.
Gerstein et al., Gambling Impact cowi Behavior Study: Report to the National
Gambling Impact Study Commission, National Opinion Research Center at the
University of Chicago, April 1, 1999. ,
Cnmmings Associates, Central trnd Southwest Iowa Casino Market Analysis:
Working Papers, July 30, 1999.
Cummings Associates, The Revenue Performance and Impacts of Arizona's
Native American casrnos, Febrtm~ 16, 2001.
The Innovation Group, Video Lottery Terminals at New IZork Race Tracks: An
Economic Study, June, 2001.
Cummings, Will E., If You BuiM It, They Will Come - But How Far? The
"D~stance Factor" in Regional Gaming Markets, a presentation to the 12t~
International Conference on Gambling and Risk-Taking, Vancouver, B.C.,
May 30, 2003.
Cummings Associites, Analysis of Current Markets for Casino Gaming in
Iowa, with Projections for the Revenues and Impacts of Potential New
Facilities, October 7, 2003
Cummings Associates
Cummings Associates
Projections for the Revenues
of an Expanded Slot Facility
at
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
Exhibits
December 2, 2003
135 Jason Street, Arlington, Massachusetts 02476
Telephone: 781-641-1215 - Fax: 641-0954 - e-mail: cummingsw~aol, com
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% --
30%
2O%
10%
0%
11:00
Exhibit 1: DGP&C Slot Utilization (unweighted by denomination)
12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 0:00 1:00
Time of Day (note: rates on Saturday from 5pm-8pm are estimated minimums; too busy for a manual count)
Cummings Associates
EXhibit 2
j,,)Au.~lin
Ih
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4: Spending on DGP&C's Slots Declines With Distance
$250.00
$200.00
$15o.oo
$100.00
$50.00
$0.00
0
10
20 30 40 50 60 70
Miles from DGP&C
80 90 100
Cummings Associates
Exhibit 5: Spending on DGP&C's Slots Declines With Distance (continued)
$250.00
$2oo.oo
$15o.oo
$100.00
$50.00
$0.00
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Miles from DGP&C
90 100
Cummings Associates
Exhibit 6: Log-Transformed Spending Declines With Distance
6.00
5,00
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
10
2O 3O 4O 5O 6O 7O
Miles from DGP&C
80 90 100
Cummings Associates
Exhibit 7: Log-Log Transformed Spending Declines With Distance
6.00
5.00
'5 4.00
"0
t-
o 3.00
-I
~ 2.00
1.00
0.00
2.0
2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
In(Miles from DGP&C)
4.5 5.0
Cummings Associates
18
Exhibit 8: Slot Spending per Distance-Adjusted Adult (FY2003)
MarketJFacitities
Casino Slot Distance- Slot
Revenues Adjusted Adult Spending/
($000) Population (1) Adult
Marquette $35,967 60,265 $597
DBQ GP&C $41,335 68,268 $605
DBQ Diamond Jo $43,431 76,841 $565
Clinton $26,262 45,694 $575
Quad Cities (2) $151,545 265,909 $570
Catfish Bend $24,730 43,878 $564
Praide Meadows $150,421 258,933 $581
Lakeside $45,754 72,881 $628
Bluffs/Omaha (3) $344,561 588,087 $586
Sioux City $35,059 60,808 $577
Subtotal' $899,065 1,541,564 $583
Tama '(annualized rate) Sx~x,xxx 156,482 Sx~<
Onawa Sxx,xxx 18,241 Sxxx
Winnavegas Sxx,xxx 41,353 Sxxx
Subtotal $138,923 (2) 216,076 $643
Total Slot Spending
at iowa Facilities
$1,037,988 1,757,640 $591
(1) Also adjusted for income, urban/rural, casino size and "reach" effects.
(2) Figures for Native Amedcan facilities are Cummings estimates; detail not shown.
Cummings Associates
19
Exhibit 9: Iowa Slot Spending Ratios Compared to Other Markets
(Slot Spending Only)
Broader Markets (1).
MidwesternMarkets
Iowa Markets
Mississippi+Louisiana $716
Colorado $631
(not inc. Native Americans)
New Jersey+Delaware $575
S. New England (2) $505
Montana (2) $497
South Dakota VLTs(+)
Other Upstate Michigan
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
iowa Native Americans $643 (est)
Lakeside $628
Dubuque GP&C $605
Marquette $597
Iowa Average $591
$583 Bluffs/Omaha $586
Praide Meadows $581
Sioux City $577
Clinton $575
Quad Cities $570
$565 Dubuque Diamond Jo $565
$561 Catfish Bend $564
Upstate Wisconsin $547
Boonville, MO · $547
Joliet, Illinois (2) $529
Michigan City, IN $524
Wisconsin Dells $521
Chicago West (2) $518
East St Louis, IL $515
St Joseph, MO $511
Detroit + Windsor (2) $510
Peoda, IL $507
Kansas City, MO/KS $504
Caruthersville, MO $500
Mark Twain, MO $499
Green Bay, Wi $494
Rock Island, IL $489
St Louis, MO $487
Cincinnati, OH/IN $487
Hammond/Gary, IN $483
Milwaukee, Wi (2) $438
Louisville, KY/IN $425
Evansville, IN $413
(1) Nevada local markets would be off this Scale, somewhere north of $1000/adulf.
(2) Markets that are capacity-constrained, operating in temporary facilities, or under some ether handicap.
Cummings Associates
20
Exhibit 10: Iowa Total Spending Ratios Compared to Other Markets
(Slot+Table Spending Combined)
Broader Markets (1)
Midwestern Markets
Iowa Markets
Mississippi+Louisiana $850
New Jersey+Delaware $754
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan $682
Other Upstate Michigan $667
Southern New England $661 (2)
Colorado $654
(not inc. Native Americans)
Boonville, MO $635
Joliet, Illinois (2) $632
Upstate W~sco nsin $630
Chicago West (2) $626
Wisconsin Dells $607
Michigan City, IN $600
South Dakota VLTs(+) $600
Detroit + W~ndsor (2) $595
Caruthersvitle, MO $594
East St Louis, tL $584
Kansas city, MO/KS $578
St Joseph, MO $577
Hammond/Gary, IN $577
Peoda, IL $576
Cincinnati, OH/IN $572
Mark Twain, MO $568
Green Bay, Wi $562
St Louis, MO $558
Rock Island, IL $547
Louisville, KY/IN $510
Montana (2) $497
(slo*JVLTs only) Milwaukee, Wi (2) $491
Evansville, IN $481
Iowa Native Americans $733 (est)
Lakeside $715
Marquette $667
Iowa Average $659
Bluffs/Omaha $652
Sioux City $646
Dubuque $645
Clinton $624
Quad Cities $623
Catfish Bend $618
Prairie Meadows (2) $561
(no table games)
(1) Nevada local markets would be offthis scale, somewhere north cf$1000/adult.
(2) Markets that are capacity-constrained, operating in temporary facilities, or under some other handicap.
Cummings Associates
21
Exhibit 11: Baseline Projections (w. additions at Marquette & Diamond Jo)
( $000, as if in FY2003 )
Market/Facilities
Actual Casino Projected Casino
Revenues in FY03 Revenues Dollar Change Percentage
($000) ($000) ($000) Change
Black Hawk County $0 $0 $0
Linn County $0 '$0 $0
Wapello County $0 $0 $0
Polk County $0 $0 $0
Palo Alto County $0 $0 $0
Webster County $0 $0 $0
Franklin county $0 $0 $0
Worth County $0 $0 $0
Marquette 760 $39,143 $39,440
DBQ GP&C 600 $41,335 $41,067
DBQ Diamond J 729 $49,706 $50,683
Clinton $28,591 $28,565
Quad Cities (2) $165,411 $165,347
Catfish Bend $28,113 $28,102
Praide Meadows $150,421 $150,397
Lakeside $55,306 $55,294
Bluffs/Omaha (3) $381,168 $381,160
Sioux City $40,795 $40,794
5297 0:8%
$268) -0.6%
~977 2.0%
$26) -0.1%
$64) 0.0%
$11) 0.0%
($24) 0.0%
($12) o.0%
($8) 0.0%
($1) 0.0%
Subtotat $979,989 $980,850 $861 0.1%
Tama Sx~c<,x~x $xxx,xxx
Onawa Sxx,x~x
Winnavegas Sxx,x~c< Sxx,xxx
Subtotal $161,582 (est) $161,507
Grand Total $1,141,571 $1,142,357
($72) -x~x%
($1) -x.x%
($2) -~x%
($75) 0.0%
$786 0.1%
Cummings Associates
22
Exhibit 12: Projections with DGP&C Rising to ~1000 Slot Machines
( $600, as if in FY2003 )
Market/Facilities
Actual Casino Projected Casino
Revenues in FY03 Revenues Dollar Change Percentage
($000) ($000) ($000) Change
Black Hawk County $0 $6 $0
$0 $0 $0
Linn County
Wapello County $0 $0 $0
$0 $0 $0
Polk County $0
Palo Alto County $0 $6
Webster County $0 $0 $0
Franklin County $0 $0 $0
Worth County $0 $0 $0
Marquette 760 $39,143 $38,762 ($381) -1.0%
DE~Q GP&C 1,000 $41,335 $60,201 $18,866 45.6%
DBQ Diamond J 729 $49,706 $46,067 ($3,639) -7.3%
Clinton $28,591 $28,200 ($391) -1.4%
Quad Cities (2) $165,411 $164,336 ($1,075) -0.7%
Catfish Bend $28,113 $27,963 ($150) -0.5%
Praide Meadows $! 50,421 $149,943 ($478) -0.3%
Lakeside $55,306 $55,154 ($152) -0.3%
Bluffs/Omaha (3) $381,168 $381,069 ($99) 0,0%
Sioux City $40,795 $40,784 ($11) 0.0%
Subtotal
$979,989 $992,478
$12,489 1.3%
Tama $~c~x,xxx Sxxx,xxx ($437)
Onawa Sxx,xxx Sxx,~cc(($12) -x.x%
Winnavegas Sxx,xxx Sxx, x~c( ($21) -x.x%
Subtotal
$161,582 (est) $161,112
$1,141,571 $1,153,590
Grand Total
($470) -0.3%
$12,019 1.1%
Cummings Associates
· 22
Exhibit 12: Projections with DGP&C Rising to 1000 Slot Machines
( $000, as if i~ FY2003 )
Market/Facilities
Actual Casino Projected Casino
Revenues in FY03 Revenues DollarChange Pementage
($000) ($600) ($300) Change
Black Hawk County $0
Linn County $0
Wapello County $0
Polk County $0
Palo Alto County $0
Webster County $0
Franklin County $0
Worth County $0
Marquette 760 $39,143
DBQ GP&C 1,000 $41,335
DBQ Diamond J 729 $49,706
Clinton $28,591
Quad Cities (2) $165,411
Catfish Bend $28,113
Praide Meadows $! 50,421
Lakeside $55,306
Bluffs/Omaha (3) $381,168
Sioux City $40,795
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
$38,762 ($381) -1.0%
$60,201 $18,868 45.6%
$46,067 ($3,639) -7.3%
$28;200 ($391) -1.4%
$164,336 ($1,075) -0.7%
$27,963 ($150) -0.5%
$149,943 ($478) -0.3%
$55,154 ($152) -0.3%
$381,069 ($99) 0,0%
$40,784 ($11) 0.0%
Subtotal $979,989 $992,478 $12,489 1.3%
Tama Sz~x,xxx
Onawa Sxx,xxx Sxx,xxx
Winnavegas Sxx,xxx Sxx,,'cc(
Subtotal $161,582 (est) $161,112
Grand Total $1,141,571 $1,153,590
($437)
($12) -x.x%
($21) -x.x%
($470) -0.3%
$12,019 1.1%
Cummings Associates
GreaterDubuque
Oevelopmen~ Corpot'ati~n
December 18, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
As the Director of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, and on behalf of our Board of
Directors, I offer our full support for DRA's request for expansion.
DtL4. has been a steadfast supporter of economic development in the Greater Dubuque area.
They have funded Greater Dubuque Development through their grant program for everything
from our state-of-the-art computer system and audio visual equipment, to our office furniture.
And we in mm share that equipment with local agencies and employers.
DP,& is also instrumental in funding the acquisition and development of over 900 acres of new
industrial property in the Greater Dubuque area.
We regret that for every dollar of gaming profits returned to the Greater Dubuque area, less than
five cents comes from the Diamond Jo Casino. Thankfully, the profits from the expansion at the
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino will be staying in our community.
If at any time I can be of service to the Commission or provide additional information, I am at
your disposal. I can be reached at our office 563-557-9049 or through email at
rickd~greaterdubuque.org.
Thank you for your service to our state and for your favorable consideration of DRA's request
for expansion.
Director
December 18, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Mnines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the River Valley Initiative Foundation (RVI), I am urging
the Commissions approval for the Dubuque Ra~ing Association's request for expansion.
RVI is a 501 (c)3 private non profit corporation dedicated to the mission of reducing the burden
of government through economic expansion of the Greater Dubuque area. That mission was
funded last year by raising $2.3 million dollars in private funds. The largest investor is the
Dubuque Racing Association at $250,000. In comparison, the Diamond Jo Casino investment
was zero.
RVI's expected outcomes in expanding the local economy include the creation of 5,100 new
positions with Wages in excess of $13 per hour and the development of $200,000,000 in new
taxable valuation. We would not be able to fully fund these aggressive goals without the
continued financial commitment by DRA.
We regret that for every dollar of gaming profits returned to the Greater Dubuque area, less than
five cents comes from the Diamond Jo Casino. Thankfully, the profits from the expansion at the
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino will be staying in our community.
If at any time I can be of service to the Commission or provide additional information, I am at
your disposal. I can be reached at our office 563-55%9049 or through email at
rickd~greaterdubuque.org-
Thank you for your service to our state and for your favorable consideration of DRA's request
for expansion.
Rick Dickinson
Director
300 Main Street, Suite 220 ~ Oubdque, IA 52001 * Phone: 563.557.9049 ~ Fax: 563.55%2059 * gddccampa[¢n@greaterdubuque.grg
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
71ac Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportnrfity to endorse
the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino facilities. The Dubuque
Racing Association has consistently stepped forycard to be a major community supporter
in the on going economic development of Dubuque.
Over the past several years, dollars generated by the Dubuque Racing Association sefa
new precedent by funding a large portion of the development of America's P,2ver, at the
Port of Dubuqne in excess of $9,000,000. These dollars were spent to assist in the
construction of Dubuque's new $188 million riverfront redevelopment. As one of
Dubuque's first rrlajor tourist attractions, the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino has
not only helped many area charities, but has been a catalyst hi rebuilding the area
economy in the late 1980's. The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce has directly
benefited from numerous grants provided by the Dubuque Racing Association and the
organization depends on the long term viability of the DRA for additional programming
and the generation of visitor dollars to the community.
The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce could not provide the service to our members
that we do without the support of the Dubuque Racing Association. This expansion will
continue to make the Dubuque Greyhmmd Park and Casino a viable operation and will
allow for furore economic development of the area. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Steward Sandstrom
President
December 8 200_3
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Co~, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The America's River Corporation would like to take this opportunity to endorse the
expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino facilities. As the America's River
project opens and the next phase of development a~nd fiver education begins; the
Dubuque Racing Association has stepped forward to be a part of the newly formed 501
C3 America's River Corporation as a charter member to ensure the long term success of
the Port of Dubuque.
The Dubuque Racing Association has supported Riverfront Development in Dubuque by
funding a large portion of the development of America's River, at the Port of Dubuque in
excess of $9,000,000. These dollars were spent to assist in the construction of Dubuque's
new $188 million riverfront redevelopment- The America's River Corporation wili
provide direction for the long term promotion, education and development of the fiver
front througix the dei, elopment of festivals, educational programming and product sa. les.
The DRA has generously agreed to support the very Erst festival, the Grand Excursion
2004, to happen since the corporati6n's formation; by underwriting any additional
expenses y:p to $50,000 to ensure the event's success.
The America's River Corporation could not begin to provide the quality entertainment
that is planned during the Grand Excursion 2004 without the support of the Dubuque
Racing Association. This expansion will continue to make the Dubuque Greyhound Park
and Casino a viable operation and will allow for future economic development of the
area. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Steward Sandstrom
President
800.798.4748
~..~munlll: CONY~:~qTION & VISITORS BLIR'~'U
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to take this opport~mity to
endorse the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino facilities. The
Dubuque Racing Association has consistently stepped for~vard to be a major community
supporter in the marketing of Dubuque as a destination. The Dubuque Greyhound Park
and Casino has always played a Iead role in support of ail of the Convention and Visitors
Bureau's pro~arrm~ing, has provided high quality entertainment at its' facilities and has
provided outstanding customer service to the many visitors that come to our area.
Over the past two years the Dubuque Racing Association set a new precedent by funding
a large portion of the America's River marketing campaign in the amount of $I00,000
last year and another $I00,000 this year. These marketing dollars are spent to promote
Dubuque's new $188 million riverfrunt redevelopment as part ora cooperative marketing
plan to draw out of state travelers to the area. Out of town travelers are critical to the
local economy, generating an economic impact of over $360 million in Dubuque County
and supporting the payroll of over 2,500 area employees armually. Thanks in large part to
the continued financial support of the Dubuque Racing Association, the overall campaign
to draw additional visitors has been and will continue to be successful.
The Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau could not provide the cooperative
marketing opporC.~nities that we do to promote Dubuque without the support of the
Dubuque Racing Association. This expansion will continue to make the Dubuque
Greyhound Park and Casco a viable operation and will allo~v for future tourism
marketing of the area to continue long term. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
'Sue' zeshin
Director
~Vortheast lowa Commttnity College- Office of Foundation
District Office m 10250 Sundown Road m Peosta, Iowa 52068-9'703
563.556.5110 or 800.728.7367 · tax: 563.556.5058 · www. nicc.edu
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Re: Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino
Dear Commissioners:
NICC supports the proposed expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Under
the guidance of the Dubuque Racing Association, the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino,
through its grant program, has awarded NICC over $132,000 to fund projects ranging from
upgrading day care equipment, to remodeling the college cafeteria/study lounge, to an addition
of a nursing lab at the downtown Dubuque location, to purchasing technology for students with
disabilities and language issues, to purchasing library and print shop equipment, to purchasing
desktop publishing program equipment, etc. Without the assistance received from the DRA,
many of these projects would have been left unfunded because of budget constraints.
Having the Dubuque Racing Association as our neighbor makes everyone a winner: providing
entertainment; employment opportunities, using Iowa vendor companies to purchase their
goods and services, stimulating the area s touns industry, funding the surrounding areas
· ' s' ro'ects usin* the association's philanthropic grant
charitable/non-profit, organ~zat~°n P J ~
program, adding to the state, city and county coffers through pari-mutuel and gaming taxes, etc.
As Dubuque Greyhound park grows so does the quality of programs, services and projects that
benefit from its grant program. Since the inception of Dubuque Racing Assocmt~on s ~,rant
program, the association has ftmneled over $14 million back into communities to fund a
menagerie of programs which enhance organizations and programs and ultimately the lives of
citizens in the surrounding comamunities.
Northeast Iowa Community College asks the I0wa Racing .and Gaming Commission to support
Dubuque Greyhound park and Casino's request for expansmn.
Sincerely,
Barbara O'Hea
Assistant to the President
for Resource Development
Calmar Campus
Peosm Campus Chickasaw County Center ~ Cresco Center · Delaware County Center · Dubuque Center · Oetwein EDEN Center
www.marshalI.dubuque.kl 2.ia.us
1450 Rhomberg Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: 563-588-8342
Fax: 563-588-8344
December 2, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des 1V[oines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter in suppor~ of the increase in the number of slot machines at Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino in Dubuque, Iowa and the remodeling/expansion that will need to occur to the cas/no because of these additional
slots. This project will increase the revenue of the casino, which in turn will increase the amount of money available to
non-profit organizations in the Dubuque area through the park's. Grant Award Program.
Marshall School has been fortunate to receive several grants over the past years. The grant money we received from
the Dubuque Racing Association went toward projects that enhance our learning envirommem, Some of the projects
included an upgrade in our phone system that placed phones in every classroom, which has shown an increase in parent
cormmunication. The amplification systems placed in each classroom has benefited ali of our sm&mrs, not only those with
hearing impairment. The outdoor classroom/garden (see picture below) has been one our most prized treasures fi:om this
grant as it's provided a varied, yet meaningful learning environment for our students. And, most recently, additional
multi-media sof~ware and pefiph~rals were purchased to increase our students' technology skills and encourage better
communication.
Marshall School is depende~.t upon receiving monies fi:om the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's Grant Award
Program for enhancing the educational progranmmng we offer our students and community. With the remodelin~
expansion project by the Park and Casino we feel we'll have an opportunity to increase the amount of money we could
receive fi:om the Dubuque Racing Association and thereby enhancing our learning enviromment that much more. It's for
these reasons that I ask you to please grant permission to the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's request to increase
the number of slot machines at the track.
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners: · like to express my
On behalf of Uinted Way Setwices, Inc. and the Board of D~rectors, I would This
support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino' s request to expand their facility.
expansion will not only increase the support of our local government, but also the charities that
will benefit in such a phenomenal way.
Anything that is detrimental to this industry as a whole would be particularly beneficial to the
Dubuque community and the non-prOfits who benefit from the disbursements of the Grant Award
Program.
Thank you for your consid~rafi°n of this request.
Sincerely,
RonaId SpiIlane, Executive Director
United Way Services, Inc.
RS:ik
Asbury Community Fire Department
5485 Saratoga Road
Asbury, IA 52002
December 16, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Dubuque Racing Association is considering an expansion to increase the
number of slot machines at the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. The
members of the Asbury Fire Department wholeheartedly support this.
The DRA is a great corporate citizen and an asset to our community. Increasing
the size of the facility will result in increased revenue, which correlates to
increased distributions through the Grant Award Program. This means more
money will be available to non-profit organizations in the future. As a member of
the Asbury Volunteer Fire Department, we truly understand the impact a program
like this can have on a non-profit organization. The department has received
more than $95,000 in grant awards over the past six years. That is an average
of $15,800 a year. As a volunteer department, we would have had to organize
quite a few fund-raisers to get that much money! The funds have allowed us to
purchase valuable firefighting equipment to help keep our firefighters safe.
Please support the charitable organizations of the tri-state area by allowing the
expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino.
Sincerely,
Bob Kaesbauer
Lieutenant Asbury Community Fire Department
John F. Kennedy School
2135 'Woodland Drive
Dubuque, IA 52002-3826
Phone: (563) 588-8334 FAX: (563) 588-8336
Susan Meehan, Principal
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commissinn
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
December 2, 2003
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter to express my appreciation for the Dubuque Racing Association.
As you are aware, the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino is hoping to expand their current
facility options. ~aving been a teacher in the Dubuque Corrmaunity School District for years, and
now currently working as an Elementary School Principal in tkis beauti~t city, I see fzrst hand on
a daily basis the impacts tJaat the DR~ makes on the Dubuque Community School District.
Financial stability in a school setting is very uncertain. At Kennedy School, there have
been student programs, student activities, and technology upgrades that could have been harshly
and negatively impacted by the budget cuts that have trickled through every school district in
Iowa over the past few years. This year in particular, Dubuque Schools had to face a $1.2
million cut, after the budget was in place and expenditures were already occurring. These sorts of
hardships make running a school very difficult when you know that budgets will be heavily
tightened for teacher and student necessities.
Thankd:ulty, the Dubuque Racing Association has come to the rescue for our commuinty
and our school system. While being Principal at Kennedy School, the DRA has fnnded $9,000 in
brand new playground equipment for our 600 students, thousands of dollars worth of reading
literature and reference materials, and many more thousands to assist us in providing the latest
technology with a mobile computer unit to each grade level withJm our building. These sorts of
items would never be possible without the financial suppor~ of the Dubuque Racing Association.
Schools just do not have an extra $10,000 to purchase these types of items. They would be items
that would be overlooked when ~nding the basic necessities- tkings that schools wonid just have
to do without. Yet in Dubuque, we are so fortunate to have these things because of the DP.A, and
as a result our students have a much broader and rich learning experience at school because of
these enriching items.
I can't say enough to support the Dubuque Racing Association. They generate amazing
revenue in our community and are always willing to share and give back to organizations in need.
Schools begin to think about grant ideas for the DRA program almost immediately after the
awards are granted from year before. The needs in our schools are that great, and the funding
sources are so few and far between. Please seriously consider their request for additional
expansion at thekr facility. I am certain that its revenue would impact both the community and the
Dubuque Schools in many positive ways.
Sincerely, ?
SUsan Meehan
Kennedy School principal
Children-at-Home Program.
2310 Chaney Road
Dubuque, IA 52001-3090
(319) 556-3310
December 10, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing in support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's request to expand their
facility. We have been the ~ateful recipientS of ~ants from the DRA for the last three years. As
the facilitator of the Children-at-Home Pro,am, let me assure you that these dollars have made a
tremendous impact on area families that care for their children with disabilities or serious illness.
I could provide you with many letters from the families expressing how much these dollars
helped them, but I realize the time constraints you face.
By expanding the facilities at the Greyhound Park i believe you would be helping our
community in many ways. The extra doliars generated would bring additional employment
opportunities to the area and the additional profit would allow for more grants to community
agencies such as ours.
These grants play a critical role in today's economy for don-profit agencies. If the help is to be
available for area families and children, we must maximize the use of grant programs such as the
one the DRA makes available.
I would be happy to discuss my reasons for supporting this request in greater detail. I can be
reached at (563) 556-3310.
Sincerely,
Gloria Klinefelter
Program Facilitator
DUBUQUE
~Main Street/
December l_, 200~
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
Dubuque Main Street Ltd., a downtown economic development corporation, salutes and endorses the
Dubuque Racing Association's (DRA's) effort to remodel and up~ade the casino. The board of directors
and staff of iViain Street are confident any such expansion will have a positive effect on our community and
benefit the residents of Iowa.
In just the last few years, DRA grants have enabled us to take our preservation "show on the read," and
educated groups from the very young to the very old on subjects from architecture, to econormc
development, to promotion; because of a laptop computer and projection equipment purchase. We have
been able to share the wealth by lenthng (without cost) this equipment to such diverse not-for-profits as
Habitat for Humanity, the Jaycees, a local handicap advocacy group, the Fine Arts Society, and many more.
The story of Main Street programs and what Iowa has to offer has reached Des Moines, Ames, Waverly, as
well as Little Rock, Washington D.C., Chattanooga, Fort Worth and more communities nationwide.
By providnig Dubuque Main Street monies for the purchase price of staging equipment, DRA has impacted
over ~00,000 people, helping us to continue to offer tire FREE events. We again shared the wealth, by
allowing rent-free use to other local not-for-profits and philanthropic organizations. Now, through DRA's
most recent generosity, within a few months we will bring a downtown and business resource center to a
storefront on Main Street.
Beyond direct contributions to Main Street, the touch of DKA has a positive tipple effect through the
downtown and our whole community. Becoming a partner in the America's River project, DRA was able to
help,~hat ~oup 'ihit,,the ~ound running;" ensuring the immediate impact of one of Iowa's proudest tourism
and qualxty of ltfe investments and breathing life into many new spots throughout our urban city center.
DRA's positive impact on our community permeates the daily life of almost ali our citizens. From great
recreational equipment and educational supplies to state-of-the-art fi=e-fighting equipment, DRA is there.
From the Dubuque Main Street point of view, an expansion of the Park & Casino complex would almost
eertainly equate to a proportionate expansion of the development assistance to groups like us, through the
DRA. We highly encourage consideration of approval of the DRA proposal. Should anyone need further
details on our endorsement, please call Dan at (563) 5884~-400.
S inc~?*,ly, ·
Darnel L. LoBianco
Executive Director
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
of Greater Dubuque
700 Locast $~reet, Suite 150
P.O. Box 902
Dubuque, IA 520(]4-0902
Phone: 563.5882700
Fax: 563.583.6619
w~vw. dbqfoundation.o rg
~ 3
Decembm7 .~, 200
iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Coimnissioners:
Greyhound Park & Casino is considering an expansion to increase the number of slot
machines at the track. I wholeheartedly support this.
The Dubuque Racing Association is a wonderful corporate citizen and a great asset to our
commurdty. The facility is modem and attractive and serves many citizens and visitors
each day for a variety of purposes. I attend many business meetings and civic luncheons
and diuners at the DRA. When I attend functions at the track, I observe many out of
county and out of state license plates, which assures me we are bringing in additional
revenue related to tourism, such as.food and lodging.
The success of Dubuque's recent development of the Port of Dubuque rests on having a
variety of venues for visitors. The Greyhound Park and Casino is a very important
component in that success formula.
Increasing the size of the facility would result in increased revenue, which correlates to
increased distributions through the Grant Award Program. This means more money wiI1
be available to non-profit organizations in the future. As the President ora local non
profit, the funds that DRA has distributed are greatly appreciated and needed. They allow
nonprofits to be efficient and effective in our delivery of services to the citizens of this
county, providing a quality of life that would not be possible otherwise. The city's budget
also benefits, assuring that taxes are affordable for our citizens.
Please support the Dubuque community by allowing expansion of the Greyhound Park
and Casino. Everyone wins - the City, the County, our community nonprofits and the
citizens and ¼sitors to Dubuque.
Sincerely,
Nancy v~n
Presidem and CEO
HOFFMANN DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.
8ol GARFIELD AVENUE
DUBUQUE, IA 52001-3442
563-556-7900
Fax 563-585-1209
Disability is not a barrier to success.
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The members of the Board of Directors of the Hoffman Development Center,
Dubuque, Iowa, support the re. quest of the Dubuque Greyhound ]Park and Casino in their
request to expand their operations.
I am addressing this support from a un/que positiom I was a member of the
management team of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino from September 1999
through May 2003 as Director of Security. During this time I observed the application
process for the grant program that results from the charter under which the facilky
operates. I watched members of the upper management along with volunteers from'the
Dubuque Racing Association spend numerous hours, late into the night on occasion,
evaluate the applications from hundreds oforganlzations who were seeking grants. I saw
the satisfaction that was evident when the decisions were made regarding the distribution,
but I also know that there was disappointment that more requests could not be met.
I accompanied Ms. Shannon Gaherty, Director of Commurfity Relations, when
she went to two of the sites to accept their thanks for grants that were approved. One was
a volunteer fire department in Clayton County who had received funds for a "Jaws of
Life". This equipment would not have been available to them without the grant from the
Dubuque Greyhound Park. I also accompanied Shannon to a sheltered workshop in
Wisconsin that provided meaningful employment and educational programs for
physically and mentally challenged persons. They had requested assistance with an
expansiom I was impressed and thankful that I was part of a team that could provide
these organizations, and many more, the assistance they needed.
Several ~nonths after leaving the employ of the Dubuque Greyhound Park I was
asked to become a member of the Board of Directors of the Hoffman Development
Center, and presently serve as their Treasurer. The Hoffi**an Development Center
operates without governmental assistance and depends on contracted work and the
generosity of organizations and individuals to remain viable. I took some time to
research how grants from the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino have impacted the
operation at the Center over the past few years and was very impressed wkh what I
found. Grants from the Dubuque Greyhound Park had provided materials, equipment,
and physical improvements to the facility over the past years that made the continuation
of the service to our cl/ents meaningful, productive, and in the case of the last grant,
provided a safer work environment by assisting with the installation of a new lighting
system at the facility.
The Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino is now requesting permission to
expand their operations. This letter is our expression of support and appreciation for the
years of generosity that has been accorded to the Hoffman Development Center and
many other organizations that have benefited fzom their pant program. I speak for all the
members of the Board of Directors of the l-lol2finan Development Center in urging that
favorable consideration be given to the request of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino to expand their operations.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors, Treasurer
'-Z,' ubuque. L
t;ommumty
Schools
Learning, Leading. Living
2300 Chaney Road
Dubuque, [owa 52001
Phone 563-.588-5106
Fax 563-588-8521
Gary Olsen
Public Affairs
golsenOdubuque, kl2. ia.us
Visit us on the Web at
www.dubuque, kl2.ia.us
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
December 2, 2003
Dear Commissioners:
I'm writing this personal letter on request of my friends on the Dubuque Racing Association. I work for the
Dubuque School District, one of the recipients of the grant monies afforded us by the Dubuque Racing
Association over the years. I carmot begin to tell you how critical their support has been, especially this past
year in light of severe budget cuts enforced upon us by the state. Because of the state revenue shortfall, we were
mit nearly one m/ilion dollars. So the funds provided us by the DKA have been important to us like never
before.
But this is about more than mere dollars. DP, aX. has been a great "corporate citizen" so to speak. Tt~eir
involvement and support of education is part of a larger package. The members of the association are
everywhere in t/°2s community offering support, advice and creativity. They are true members of our
community, and as we all know, Iowa is a relationship state, and Dubuque is a relationship town. We are proud
to know the DRA employees and board members by name as well as their good deeds in our community.
It has come to my attention that the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino wish to expand, and ttmt this plan is
subject to your approval. I hope you will take my words into consideration when this decision is put before you
to support the Greyhmmd Park in its expansion plan.
Now, I would invite you to our web site that we maintain that explains the relationship between Dubuque
Schools and the DRA. It says it ali. On that page lmve a film we produced on the many good works made
possible by the DRA and an item-by-item list of specific projects they have made possible. Please take a look
at it. http://www, dubuque.kl2.ia.us/Grantcenn:alstation-hI:rm I know you will make the right decision on betmlf
· of education in our commumty.
Kindest regards and ever appreciative of your efforts on our behalf,
Olsan
UB U Q U E'~
S O C I E T
sERVING THE TRI-STATES
175 North Crescent Kid§e
Dubuque, LA
520(13
Ph. 563-582-6766
Fax 563-582~0140
Webske w~vw
dbqhumane.org
December 13, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing in support of expanding the number of slot machines at Dubuque
Greyhound park and Casino.
The Dubuque Humane Society has received a number of grants from the
Dubuque Racing Association's distribution to non-profit organizations over the
past years. In total we have received $144,062 to improve our facility, to spay
and neuter 600 cats in the tri-state area, to replace our cat cages, towards the
addition of more kennels and a training.facility, and to purchase a van to
· transport our animals to the vet clinics. The Dubuque Racing Association has
increased the quality of life for the animals at the Dubuque Humane Society's
facilky. The DRA has helped us meet the demands 0fee increasing numbers of
animals we care for here at the shelter. It has helped us increase awareness in
the community of the importance of spaying and neutering your pets to help
decrease the pet overpopulation problem.
Expanding Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino, and the number of slot
machines they have, will increase revenues and increase the distributions through
the DRA Grant Award Program. This will help, not only the Dubuque Humane
Society, but all the non-profits applying for gran.ts in the tri-state area. The
Dubuque Humane Society supports thek expansion.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jane McCall, Executive Director
Dubuque Humane Society
UNIVERSITY of
DUBUQUE
December 11,2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
The University of Dubuque is excited about the Dubuque Racing Association's
plans for expansion at the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Any
opportunities that stimulate the Dubuque area economy and enhance choices for
social entertainment should receive strong consideration.
Over the years, the BRA has contributed nearly $100,000 to support various
projects at the University of Dubuque. College students, school children and
residents of the community have benefited from these grants to the University.
This funding has provided computers for a digital multimedia workstation, science
equipment to train edUcation majors how to teach environmental science,
instrUments and equipment for conducting research at the Mississippi River field
station, equipment to upgrade the science laboratories, and other projects across
the campus.
The generosity of the Dubuque Racing Association bas supported the University
of Dubuque in its mission to provide academic excellence and professional
preparation for our students. We, in turn, want to offer our support and
encouragement as they proceed with plans for expansion. Such partnerships are
critical to realize the full potential our community has to offer. We would
welcome your to visit our campus to see the results of these contributions.
We appreciate the good works of the Dubuque Racing Association and its strong
support to the Dubuque community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Goodfellow
Associate Director of Prospect Research and Grant Proposals
FP-.iEN.PS orr-the MINES orrS?AIN
8991 Bellevae Hts.
C565) 556-0620
www. m ineso spa in .org
Io~va Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA
December 2 2003
Dear Comndsioners: . .
I am writing on behalf of the Friends of the Mines of Spain. We are a non-profit
organization that supports the Mines of Spain Recreational Area, which is just south of
Dubuque. I am the President of the Board of Directors of the Friends group.
I am writing to voice my strong support for the Dubuque Racing Assocmt~on s request o
expand its facility. The DRA is the most philanthropic organization in this community. It
has supported numerous projects for our Friends group and for countless other'
organizations in this area. I don't know of a school, parish, or non-profit group in this
town that has not directly benefited from one of its grants. For many groups, ours
included, the DRA's annual grants are the single largest financial donation that they .
receive. This group is doing excellent work.
I understand that by expanding its facilities the DRA will be able ~o increase its revenues
and thereby increase its ability to give back to the community. This is a great opportunity
for them and more importantly for every citizen of this community.
Please lend[ your support to this project.
Sincerely, /,, ,~,~ .. ^
Douglas G. Olk, M.D.
President, Board of Directors
Friends of the Mines of Spain
"dougotk~hotmail.com'
563-557-8188
Dubuque County
Emergency Medical Services Association
11 West Ninth Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
We are quite literally in the business of saving lives. Every ambulance
rescue, fire, and law enforcement agency in our county belongs to our
Association. Grants awarded to our Association over the last few years from the
Dubuque Racing Association have bought standardized emergency drug kits for
every advanced life support response unit, backboards that are shared by all
ambulance services in the county, digital cameras that help tell the stow of the
emergency scene to the doctors and nurses that never see the incident and
transport seats for pediatric ambulance patients. Countless defibrillators and
other pieces of lifesaving equipment have been purchased with DRA dollars for
our individual member agencies as well.
Non-profit organizations throughout the tri-state area are thriving, largely
in part, due to participation of the DRA in their funding. The public ownership
coupled with the not-for-profit management of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino has provided a model of giving back to the community that is the envy of
many cities and towns. Virtually no one in the greater tri-state area has not had
his or her life improved in some way by this exceptional philanthropy.
We absolutely support the proposed expansion of their facility and believe
that you should as well!
Thank you for your support of our Dubuque Racing Association and their
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino!
Sincerely,
Ric Jones, Board Member
Grants Committee Chair
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
OF GREATER DUBUQUE
1299 Locust Street
Dubuque, iA 52001
Administrative Office
(583) 582-4122
(583) 582-0825 - F~x
Program Building
(563) 585-0599
Mark Mo[o, President
Garry Heiar, 15t Vice president
Steve Conion, 2nd Vice Fresidenf
Jennifer T~ppet, Secretary
GregoW C. Burbach, Treasurer
December 3 2003
iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Mothes, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
This is a letter of support for the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park
and Casino. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque has been a recipient
of in excess of $134,500.00 since 1996. Without the assistance of the
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino, many programs would not have
feasible.
One area the DGP&C has been instrumental in over the years is our
Meal/Education Program. Since the majority of our membership reside in
low to moderate income parts of town as noted by the Dubuque Department
of Economic Development, our evening meal and educational programs are
vital to the success of the programs offered at the Club.
On the meal side of the program, we have received funding for food,
supplies, and equipment_ At the Club, we serve in excess of 14,000
nutritionally balanced meals to our membership annually. On the
educational side, we have received funding for computers for our Technolog3~
Program, educational software, support materials such as books, math
materials, and equipment.
Without the support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino, the Boys &
Girls Club would be limited in the ability to continue to change in the always
chan~ng field of youth development.
With an expansion, the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino w/ll be
continue to provide oppormmty for many area non-profits that otherc~-ise
struggle for sources of revenue. We urge you to approve the expansion of the
Dubuque Greyhound and Casino.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brian L. Meyer ~a
Executive Director
Board of Directors:
G.a~ McA~dvew
President
[~ice-President
~ Ra usch
S e~wta7 / T~asu~
Crag
Ze~ Croase
Rob Hoe~er
p~ Sca'tx
B~ Schuler
Chad Vaske
Past Bo~d 3le~bem:
M~m
~ ~ss~
BOBCAT CAPITAL
SUPPORT FOUNDATION
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Cou~ Suite B
Des Moines, 1~ 50309
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing you today to show my support for the proposed expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound
park & Casino. I am President of the Bobcat Capital Support Foundation, an org~niTation that was
organized to generate funds for facilities at Western Dubuque High School in Epworth. Our
organization has worked hard to provide facilities that are needed at the high school and the Dubuque
Racing Association has been a tremendous asset to our organization.
Our organization is helping furnish equipment for a new gymnasium, wrestling room and weight
room at the hSgh school. Two years ago our Foundation received $5,000 that was used to purchase
basketball backboards. Last year we received $15,000 to purchase two scoreboards and a wrestling
mat. We continue to work on raising funds for our project. It is our hope we will continue to receive
assistance from the Dubuque Racing Association.
Without the generous support of the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA) we would not have been
able to provide for our deserving students. The DRA has not only been generous to our organization
but has helped numerous other non-profit organizations in the Dubuque area. I would hate to think
what our volunteer fire departments would be like without the generous assistance of the DP,-A.
It is our hope that Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino is allowed to expand its operations because it
would not only share in its profits with the local charities; it would also help tourism in the Dubuque
area. It is my opinion that Dubuque would be in serious economic trunble ff it were not for tourism.
One offae main tourist attractions in Dubuque is Dubuque Greykouud Park & Casino, so it would
seem logical that if they were to expand it would help tourism, in addition to helping all the local
charities they have been so generous to in the past.
In closing, it is the hope of the Bobcat Capital Support Fotmdation that the Dubuque Greyhound Park
& Casino is allowed to expand. They have been tremendous supporters of or anmmunity md will
continue to be so in the future. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to cai1 me at (563)
556-2760.
Sincerely,
ary Mc?xndrew
Bobcat Capital
Support Foundation
P.O. Box 421
Epworth IA 52045-0421
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
]717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
This letter is to inform you how much the Grand Opera House appreciates the support we have
received from the Dubuque Greyhound park and Casino over the years.
The Grand Opera House, now in its 32~a season, is a volunteer organization providing theater arts
programming to tri-state residents and visitors. Offerings include professional productions, .
community theater, children's theater, ar~s in education, workshops, casting and support servmes
for film and video production companies, and outreach to schools, nursing facilities and a variety
of community social agencies. We own and operate the Grand Opera House building as a live
performance facility for a variety of local and touring arts groups, a meeting hall for business and
civic groups, and as an historic reso~ce.
Over the past few years we have been able to improve our lights, sound and box office ticket
programs thanks to grants received fi:om the Dubuque racing Association. As the Grand Opera
House foundation and business boards continues with its renovation projects helping to restore
the building to its original 1890's look, the Grand performances on the stage must not suffer. As
more and more people are being attracted to Dubuque we find it very important to stay
competitive with other theaters. The Grand does not have to funds to pay a full-time tecl~fical
person. We feel it is most important not only for our audiences, but also for our volunteer
technical people to see and work with the most updated equipment- In the near future we hope to
invite more traveling shows through the area. Proper stage sound is very important for these
elans include the installation of a new fly space area. Upon completion of the
companies Furor p .......... we fee can better utilize the
fly space, and the neW sounn, ngmm~, ,~,~ ~ ~ ~- . , . ., -
entire building Thus making Dubuque a destination for both professmnat ann amateur mearer
productions.
Pleas allow the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino the opportunity to expand its facility. In
the near future as our fly space project continues we will need to take shows off si~at. We will be
considering the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino as a possible location for this to happen.
We truly appreciate their support, and encourage others to support those businesses that support
us here at the Grand Opera House. The Grand Opera House isyour theater for your
community[
Sincerely,
Richard Hail
Grand Opera House
Theater Mmaager
www. thegrandoperahouse-com ga,~ Office
December 17, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Corn-t, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing on behalf of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino and the
Dubuque Racing Association.
We have been beneficiaries of their grant program for several years.
Wkhout their support we would not have had the opporttmity to make the
extensive Capital Improvements that we have made.. Our New Batl~'ooms,
Front Gate and a Brtmd New Canopy are just a few of the h~provemeats that
the DRA has supported Emancially. They are a very' important part of our
commtmity and we hope to continue o~Lr relationship with them in the future.
Sincerely,
Gene?aLSYlmaa~ger
14583 Old Highway Road, Dubuque, IA 52002-9602 Phone (563) 588-1406 Fax (563) 588-1162
_ _~;~. ,4~,,,¢~h-6~rnwcl net website: www.dbafair, com
HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE
?_255 JFK, Asbury Square, Dubuque, Iowa 52002
Telephone: (563) 582-1220 Fax: (563) 582-8089
www.hospiceofdubuque.com
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Cottrt, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of Hospice of Dubuque we are writing to show our support for the expansion of
the Dubuque Greyhound park & Casino. As a result of the distributions ~ve have received
from the Community Grant Awards Program, Hospice o£Dubuque, a non-profit
orgardzation, has benefited from this positive impact to our community. The donated
money has enabled Hospice to purchase new equipment that we use to promote our
mission of Providing Compassionate Care to the Terminally Jl! and Their Loved Ones. We
have also been able to use these educational resources to explain services throughout the
M-states and, subsequently, have touched nearly 2900 lives during our past fiscal y~ar
through the direct patient care program and the various bereavement pro.ams, k
Sincerely,
aZoeIl / /
i~xecutive D ir e ~.,r/
Fund Development/Public Relations Director
Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council
"Working together for a better community"
220 West 7~ Street at the Town Clock, P.O. Box 14, Dubuque, IA 5201)4-0014
Phone: 563-582-8804 FAX: 563-582-1224 E-mail: dalmc@mwci.net
Internet: 'at t p://www.dalmc.com
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
'717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
December 3, 2003
Dear Commissioners:
The Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council is an association of more than 100
employers, unions and community leaders "working together for a better community" by
providing aggressive leadership to substantially improve the economic environment of
the tri-state area.
The Labor-Management Council has received grant support from the Dubuque Racing
Association several times in recent years.
This financial assistance has allowed us to produce a video (Working in the Tri-States)
to support our workforce retention efforts. Also, we have been able to purchase office
equipment and make office improvements that have substantially increased the
productivity of our non-profit operation.
With the resources provided by the Dubuque Racing Association, we have been able to
succeed in achieving some important goals that would have not been achieved without
that support.
In addition. Dubuc~ue Greyhound Park and Casino-an active member of the Labor-
Management CounciI as an emp oyer with several collective bargaining agreements -
has been a positive factor in maintaining a constructive labor relations environment n
the tri-state area. We appreciate your serious consideration of their petition.
Thank you for your time and attention to this correspondence.
Charles Isenhart
Executive director
Riverside Gardens
441 East3~. St., P.O. Box 103
Monticello, Iowa 5~9310
December 9, 2003
Iowa-Racing and Gaming Comrmss~on
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners,
I have just learned about the possible expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino and would like to extend my support for this project.
First, Riverside Gardens has direcdy benefited because of the gant awards that the
Dubuque P, acing Association provides. We are a non-profit, all vokmteer botanical gxrden
and rely on donafiohs, ftmdraisers and grants to operate. We had just raised enough
money to purchase the ne'~hghboring home to turn into a Visitor/Nature Center when the
lower level of the building was inundated by the June 4', 2002 flood. There was over
$40,000 in damages - much more than the good will of our small community could help
us out with. Also, FF2¥L~k was unable to provide us with any funding. It was with gear relief
and joy that we received a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association to help us in the
rebuilding of our center. Even as I type this, workmen are at the Center restoring our
restroom and building a waterproof furnace room and possibly restoring the ruined ceiling
tile.
Riverside Gardens has had visitors from every state and from every continent except for
· prairie,
Antarctica. They have enjoyed viewing the gardens and restored wedand and native
but we a/so had a dream of educa6ng the public as well. Om: park happens to be on the
site of our town's f~rst Stagecoach Stop along the "Old Military Trail' which was one of the
first roads into the interior of the state, connecting Dubuque with Iowa City, then our
Territorial and Stare Capital. *vVe have found many artifacts from that era as well as archaic
Native Americ,'m pieces and items from the early stages of farmingin our commmzity.
family
Bemg a one day s nd into the state, it was at our Stagecoach Stop that many a settler
spent their first night in Iowa Territory on their way west. Our land is also on some of the
fn:st land filled in our area. Besides horticultural information, we hope to also tyll the story
of the early settlement of Iowa and of the early farming and horticultural techniques. Wy
are [filed with ideas for displays, but f'rrst we have to Fad funding for the further restoratton
of our building and make it handicapped accessible. If the Dubuque Itacing Assodat/on is
able to expand, they would be more able to prov/de grunts for projects such as this.
As a former teacher, I also know how much the Dubuque Racing Assodaton's grants
have benefited our town's public and catholic school systems, Camp Courageous, and
many other worthy groups in our area. Many worthwhile projects would not have been
possible without the help of the Dubuque Racing Association, and I know that there are
many other worthy projects waiting their mm to be funded. In a small, rural cotmty such as
ours, the help of our dear volunteers can only go so far before we need outside !u~ding,
and are thus very grateful for the grant program that the Dubuque Pacing Assoc~aI~on
provides. YVith their help, Riverside Gardens will be able to be a place of beauty, a place
where horfictdmral information can be obtained, and the history of horticulture and the
culm.ral heritage of our state can be learned. Already on display are such things as postcard
views of Botardcal Gardens that existed in our state 100 years ago, nature photography, and
the ori~mLnal survey map of the "Old Milkary Trail" and an 1859 farming ma~azine telling
settlers what they can plant out on the prairie of our new state.
By now, you can see the potential benefit for Riverside Gardens - both for our
comwnunky and the visitors that stop by. Multiply this by all the organizations that the
Dubuque Racing Association has ftmded and you can see the benefit to this area of the
state that they have been.
Before closing, I must also tell you about the benefit to the people that the Dubuque
Greyhound Park has been. Many a wavelet that has stopped at Riverside is either going to
or returning from the casino. 5/¥2qether the people have won or lost, they have related how
much they have enjoyed their trip to eastern Iowa. They do a little gambling, have a good
meal, and stop and visit other sites along their way. They all seem to have thoroughly
enjoyed the day. Even some of our own volunteers enjoy going up to the casino.
In closing, I hope that you will allow the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino to go
ahead with their expansion plans, as it will benefit the people of the Tri-state area for years
Sincerely,
Joy Adams
President, Riverside Gardens Association
Dubuque 5oil &
¢onscrvo' ion
District
210 Bierman
Epwor?h IA 52045-9529
Phone: (563)876-3418,
F~x: (5635876-3653
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
To Whom it May Concern:
This letter is being written m support of the Dubuque Racing Association's (DILA)
proposed expansion of their facility.
The Dubuque Soil & Water Conservation District has personally benefited from the grant
money that the DRA reinvests into the community- In 2003 we received a $1,345 grant
which allowed us to purchase t~vo office computers to help us better serve the needs of
Dubuque county landowners. In 2002 we also received a $5,000 grant to assist us with
the purchase of a Global Positioning System. Without these grants, we wouid not have
been able to purchase these items.
Both of these grants have enabled us to provide our services more efficiently and
accurately. We are very grateful to the DRA and encourage you to fully support the
expansion of gambling at DP, aX_.
Sincerely,
DLrBUQUE SOIL & WATER cONSERVATION
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
Melvin Wilgenbusch, Chairperson
Chip Bishop
Bob O'Connelt
Clyde Thielen
Charles McCullough
pRESCO'FT' EARLY eHZLDHOOD CENTER
1249Whlte Street
Dubuque, IA52001-5070
563-588-8346
Mrs. Nan Welch~ Principal
12/9/03
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to write in support of the Dubuque Racing Associatton's desi~'e to e~paad
their facility. I am an elementary school principal who has been on the receiving end of
the Dubuque Racing Association s succes .
Our school has received a DRA grant each year throughout the last five years. Wkln this
grant money, we have been able to purchase books, furniture, TV's and other educational
electronic devises that we would have been unable to purchase on our own.
The Dubuque Racing Association is a very vital part of this community. They have also
provided [he funding necessary for numerous community needs. Each year their
generosity makes a difference in the lives of Dubuque residents.
I support the expansion they propose. A larger facility would result in increased revenue
which would only continue to benefit non-profit organizations such as my school. I
respect the integrity in which the DRA has always operated under and I would support
any growth opportunities possible for this fine organization.
Respectfully,
Nan Welch
Prescott Early Childhood Center
Dubuque, lA
LORAS COLLEGE
Office of the President
December 16, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Comrmssron
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Dubuque Racing Association has been very generous to us for over I0 years. Their
£manciat support has impacted hundreds of people, including many Loras College
students and youth in the cormnunity. Some of the efforts they have supported include
the addition of shelving units for the Center of Dubuque History (housed at Loras
College), acquiring new science equipment for student research, and their most recent
gill, of almost $20,000, allowed us to create a pro.am for local elementary teachers to
develop new teaching techniques to maximize student learning; this program alone has
benefited a significant number of local youth.
The support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino has allowed Loras College to
create new programs that would not have been possible without their support. They are
not only generoUS to us, but they are also assisting many worthy organizations in the
Dubuque region.
Sincerely,
President
215 North Oarnavillo St,
Anamosa, IA 52205
Fl~-ornh~r 5 ~)(It-I~
717 East Court Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
G~Ng ~d RacNg Association which have been ve~ help~l. ~e p~ish
requested ~ds for new men ~d women ba~ooms ~vNch would be
hs~dic~O accessible in onr ch~reh hMi Tha ~chnni had req!~anted "qsiqt"nc~
N t~g up asbestos tile N a couple of cl~srooms, ~e p~cip~s office ~d
a sm~ work ~ea - it w~ mostly replaced with c~etNg. The ~t NcNde,
enough for the work with ~sbeslos which ~v~s a ~ea~ help. I recall that the
~t w~ ~ound $5.000.
To be able to re~fiest ~mnts for some ofhhe unexpected expenses, or for ~ose
e~a projects which '~shoOd" be done, for whatever re,on, ~d ~e h~d to
have N mNd is for our school t~ch room. A co~erci~ dishw~hNg
mac~e when we redo ~e Mtchen ~d h~l, wffi help s~tation efforts, save
t~e ln~dffils mud promote a he~tNer en~iwon~enx. [t is onr hope t~ar a ~X
~om ~e Dubuo~e RacNg ~d GmNg Association w~ provide us ~e me~s
to tacMe such issues.
Pastoral Administrator
St. Patricks church
December g, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Gerald Knipper - President
Dyersville Farmers Community
Fire Department
3117 245[h Street
· Earlville, IA 52040
Dear Commissioners,
A local newspaper reported the Dubuque Greyhound park & Casino would like to expand
and remodel the casino.
The board members of Dyersville Farmers Community Fire Deptartment wholehearted!y
support such an idea· They (DRA) have really helped our Department and the commumty
in serves with the grants we have received for turnout gear and safety equipment· Our
rural fire deptartment made 58 calls in 2002; and through the generosity of the grants we
were able to provide-the volunteer firemen with some of the safety equipment they need.
We serve a 10 mile radius of Dyersville, with U.S. 20 and Highway 136 intersecting here
so we also have a number of accident calls.
The trustees in the four townships we serve are at a maximum taxation for fire protection
so we are very grateful for the grants to help the Fire Department.
Sincerely,
Gerald Knipper
President of Dyersvilie Farmers Community Fire Deptartment
Quality Through Caring.
BELLEVUE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
100 South 3~ Street, Bellevue, kd 52031
Curriculum Director
Linda Nudd
(563) 872-4089
December 10, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Co;~, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter in suppor~ of an expanded facility at the Dubuque Greyhound Park
& Casino. I am the CurricukLm Director at BelIevne Community SchooI District, and our ·
district has received several worthwhile grant awards from the Dubuque Racing
Association over the years.
We were awarded a grant last year for $15,450 tkat ftmded new' desks for six of our
elementary classrooms. Our old desks had been used more than 20 years and were not
conducive to small group work such as cooperative learrgng. They were not adjustable
for children's varying sizes or accessible for handicapped students.
Lacreased revenue from an expanded facility will provide increased distributions to tri-
state non-profit organizations such as ours. The positive economic impact of a remodeled
and upgraded casino will provide additional 5,mding opportunities for us that will
other~vise go ummet because of tightened locaI school budgets and a significant decline in
money from the state.
Please consider our support when making your decision to increase the number of slot
machines at t~e Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino.
Sincerely,
Linda Nudd
Hispm~ic Ministry
St. Patrick's Parish
1425 Iowa Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Tel. 563-584-0640
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
December 5, 2003
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
On behalf of all the Hispanic immigrants here in Dubuque, I wish to let you know
that we have progressed a great deal because of the grants from the D.R.A. of
Dubuqne. I have read in the newspaper 'Telegraph-Herald' abont the need to build
an expansion at the Greyhound Park here in Dubnque.
We have received'grants in the last three years and have put the contributions to
very good use to benefit the needy immigrants. The expansion of ottr local casino
to include additional slot machines would surely help generate more income for the
city, as welt as for the individual charitable organizations in the area, such as ours.
The grants that our Hispanic Ministry office have received so far are as follows:
in the year 2001 - $2000
in the year 2002 - $9000
in the year 2003 - $6000.
These funds have been spent well to forward the development of the local Hispanic
people, and to integrate them into the local Dnbuque community. Some projects
have been: 1) event sponsorship (snch as the Cinco de Mayo -May 5), to ~vhich
the neighbors were invited, 2) carpeting and flooring improvements for the
Hispanic of'rices, 3) teaching English by way of books and taupes, 4) improving and
generating the traditional music program through the purchase of songbooks,
guitars and music snpplies, ~d 5) encouragdng the learning of folk dancing by
ordering music, sewing folk dance dresses and pants.
Please consider this letter a vote of confidence in the Dubuque Greyhound casino.
Ir-mow that I believe a remodeled m~d npgaded casino would help oar community
here, as well as the residents of Iowa. The support from the tri-state area also
shows support for the expansion. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Sister Jeanette'~McCarthy, D/rector
94t W. Fountain S~reez
P.O Box 212
Mineral Point WI 53565-0212
Phone [608} 987-3336
Fax 508) 987-3082
E-mail ho(~anctr@mnzc.nez
~Tv 508) 987-3775
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, lA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Dubuque Racing Association has been very generous to the Hodan Center,
a rehabilitation program for people with disabilities, n 2002 they donated
$1,400 for the purcl~ase of stainless steel tables and in 2003 the,/donated
$2,500 to help purchase a wheel chair accessible weight training machine.
We are very grateful for the support they give to the Hodan Center and to
other not-for-profit organizations.
Sincerely,
Will Sterba
Director of Development
hrANOVERFIP~D£PARTMSNT
201£ILL~V£ORXSTP~EX PO. BOX 70~
HAnOVER, IL. 61041
815-591-3514
DecemberS, 2003
Iowa Racing & Gaming Association
717 East Court Suite B
Des Moines, IA. 50309
Dear Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission,
The Hanover Volunteer Fire Department has been fortunate to receive grant funding from the,
Dubuque Racing Association to help pu[ghase equipment needed to protect the firefighters
safe~ and lives while training or on an emergency call.
Over the last two years we were able to purchase 3 additional bunker gear including coat and
pants which helped replace some gear that was nearly 20 years old and worn out. in addition
the firefighters also were able to get nomex hoods for all firefighters to protect them from heat of
the fire or the cold of the weather.
Also a special blade for cutting into roofs was purchased through the DRA grant which helps
ventilate a building of deadly gases. Also a foam pack sydtem for extinguishing fires was -
purchased through the grant program.
Our fire district is primarily elderly citizens who live on fixed incomes, so we feel it is a
privilege to be allowed to request fmnding for equipment purchases; which we probably never
would have been able to get otherwise.
The Hanover Fire Department supports the expansion of the Dubuque Racing Association and
their goal of expunding their current facility. The employment of more people and will benefit
us locally and throughout the county; by the people traveling through on their way to the dog
track or casino.
Their cormmitment for allowing emergency services to apply in an effort to obtain equipment to
better protect their districts and personnel. This program has allowed emergency services to
save lives, limit property damages, and protect emergency services persormeL It is not something
we can always assume, but it is a wonderful p[ogram to benefit the tri-state area.
Respectfully yours,
Fire Ch/el
Hanover Fire Department
Shawn R. Buck
Administrative Officer
Hanover Fire Department
December 4, 2003
To: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
From: Hazel Green Vol. Fire Dept.
Dear Commissioners,
This letter is in support of the expansion of the Grayhound Park and Casino.
We being a small village in the Tri-State Area take great pleasure in
supporting the expansion. The Grayhound Park and Casino provides exellent
entertainment for the people of the Hazel Green Fire Dist., it more greatly
provides employment for several area people. The impact it has on or local
economy is unmearsurable as in the meals,'gas, and the shopping that the
casino customers do in our small village. The Hazel Green Vol. Fire Dept.
and the people of the Fire Dist. has had the pleasure of receiving several
grant awards from the Grayhound Park and Casino and the Dubuque Racing
Association. These grants total up into the thousands of dollars. This money
is used to buy equipment that not only helps save lives and protects the
people of our Fire Dist., the thousands of people that travel through our area
on a daily basis, and the 38 Vol. Members that put their lives on the line for
total strangers every day. With out the help from the people of the Grayhoud
Park and Casino and The Dubuque Racing Association none of this would
be possible.
Sincerely:
Thomas F. Robson
President H.G.F.D.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL
701 ]ROUTE 35 NORTH
EAST DUBUQUE, ILLINOIS 6109-5
815-7'47-3010
Iowa Racing and Gaming Comrmss~on
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
As principal of St. Mary Elementary School in East Dubuque, IL, I would !Jke to convey
· · ' the becefits we have derived
our appreciation for the Dubuque Racing Assocmt~on and
fi:om their generosity. In the past years we have been able to put in an outdoor play area,
basketball court and exercise area (track area). Our compnter lab has been updated and
this year we were able to concentrate on our kitchen and replace oar instkutional
dishwasher.
' appreciated not only by oar students and staffbut also
These improvements were and are
by the community at large. Toddlers to seniors fi:equently use the outdoor play area,
basketball court and track. The computer lab updates have enabled us to provide training
for our students to prepare them for the work world. The cafeteria and kitchen are used
not only for ot~r hot 1unch program but also for many community social functions.
These projects would not have been possible without the financial aid of the DRA. We
are ~atefi.~l to them and wish them-e, very success in thek future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Marywm Tranel, O.P-
principal
5309 South Mound Road, Sherrill, IA 52073
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The City of Sherrill would tike you to know how the Dubuque Racing Association
has helped us this year by awarding us a grant through their Grant Award Program.
The City of Sherrill, with the help of engineering students from the university in
Platteville, has developed a park plan to improve the city park. The fa'st goal was
to add playground equipment that was ADA approved, safe and fun for a wide age
range of children. Our park is a very popular place for f~m;ly reunions and other
social events that bring people fi.om all over the country to our park. Sherrill is
also located on the Great River Road, which is also designated as a National
Scenic Byway. Tourists travel the Great River Road to enjoy the beautiful scenery
and we want our park to be a pleasant place for them to stop and have a fun as well
as safe experience with their children. Thanks to the Dubuque Racing
Association's 2003 grant award, the city was able to reach our first goal for the
park. An expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino would increase
revenue, which would increase the amount of money available for distribution
through the Dubuque Racing Association's Grant Award Program. In these tough
economic times, grants like the ones available through the Dubuque Racing
Association can determine ifa project is completed or not. The Dubuque Racing
Association should be very proud of the help they have given so many worthwhile
projects in the area. They are one of the reasons Iowa is such a great place to live!
Thallk you, ~
Debbie Specht
City Clerk, City of Sherritl
DICKEYVILLE RESCUE SQUAD
PRES DALLAS DIETZEL ...............................................
PO Box 98
Short Street
Dickeymlle, WI ~3508
(608) 565-3516
December I0, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Comrmsmon
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
I am wrking this letter to you to ask that you support the requests of the Dubuque Racing
Association. As president of the Dickeyvitle Rescue Squad I would like to share with you
the ways in which ttte Dubuque Racing Association has supported our organization. They
have given us money to assist us in purchasing a new ambulance in 2001. They also have
helped us in purchasing new pagers. The new pagers are much smanler and lighter in
wei_oht and have more channels. In tko future we plan on asking the Dubuque Racing
AssOciation for funds to purchase an AED, which we plan on teaching the fire department
12ow to use.
Please consider the requests of the Dubuque Racing Association and tko extra money they
would have to donate to non-profit orgardzatious, such as ourselves, wkh the expanded
facilky.
Sincere[y,
Dallas DietzeI
President, Dickeyville Rescue Squad
EPWORTH VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
?.212 NORTH CENTER AVENUE
P.O. BOX 436
EPWORTH, IA 52045-0436
EMERGENCY NUMBER: 911
ADMINISTRATIVE NUMBER: 563-876~3321
email: epworthfire@mwci.net
December 4th, 2003
Iowa Racing and Onrn{ng Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the organizations of the Epworth Fire Department and the Epworth Community
Volunteer Firemen, I would like to inform you of the economic impact of the Dubuque Racing
Association and the many projects they have funded for our organization.
Since 1996 we have received over $69,084.00 that provided life safety and emergency
equipment for our fire and ambulance department. Many lives have been affected by the
equipment purctmsed through the grants and the tax payers of our area have seen savings and no
increases due to our ability to obtain the grants. Some of the equipment we have received
includes defibrillators, extrication equipment, fire pumps, ambulance cot, communication radios
and pagers.
The Dubuque Racing Association and the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino are a vital part
of our ability to be able to provide a hi~ level of fire and emergency medical service. Taxation
limits do not allow volunteer fire deparlrnents to raise the necessary funds to provide the level of
service that people of Iowa expect and deserve, therefore we need to rely on grants, donations
and fund raising events.
We encourage you to support the proposed expansion of the Dubuqu~ Greyhound Park and
Casino facility. The Dubuque Racing Association has a positive impact on people in the
Epworth Community, Dubuque County, and the State of Iowa. The result of last year' s election
to allow them to continue operations exemplifies the importance of their operations to our
citizens.
Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas I. Berger, REMT-Paramedic
Fire Chief
Epworth Fire Department
East Dubuque District Library
301. Sinsinawa Avehue
East Dubuque, IL 61025
Voice and TTY {815) 747-3052
Fax t815) 747-6062
eastdubnquelibrary~mchsi.com
Iowa Racing and Gaming Comm~ssmn
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
December 5, 2003
Dear Commissioners,
The East Dubuque District Library would like you to be aware of the wonderful grants
that we have received through the Dubuque Racing Association over the years.
We have been able to offer so many different services and programs to our patrons that
we would not have been able to afford to offer without the generosity of the Dubuque
Racing Association.
We were able to begin a Living History section in our library. A grant from the Dubuque
Racing Association allowed us to purchase a computer, software to digitize photographs,
a scanner and supplies we needed to begin to preserve East Dubuque's history. Over 800
historScal photographs, postcards and documents have been scanned and preserved. We
have also recorded many local oral histories. Patrons are able to search the photo archive
by key word and the library has created community displays for the publics' education
and enjoyment.
We were able to begin a Bag of Books program for day care and after school providers to
use in our community through a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association. Bags are
packed with books, education videos, music cassettes and educational toys to encourage
daycare providers to read to children in their care.
Another grant through the Dubuque Racing Association allowed our library to automate
our circulation system. Reports that used to be done by hand are now automated. Patron
searches are done on the computer and a computer system keeps track of fines, books that
are checked out;reservations and more.
Another year the library ~vas axvarded an audio book grant, that allowed us to create a
collection of audio books for our patrons to enjoy.
We have been very lucky to have been awarded grants that allow us to try new and
innovative programs for our patrons that we would not be able to afford out of our regular
budget. We hope these grants will continue to be available for Us to make use of for our
patrons.
Thanks you for your time and consideration.
Sincenely Yours, ,,
Mi'chelIe Wessels
East Dubuque District Library
Director
MONTICELLO FIRE: DEPARTMENT
200 East First St.
Monticello, IA. 52310
Phone, 319-465-5718
E-mail, monticellofire@n-connect.net
December 3, 2003
Dear Commissioners,
The Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino is in the planning stages of
expanding and upgrading their facilities. The Monticello Fire Department
is in full support of the efforts of the Dubuque Racing Association, as
they have contributed to our organization in the past and hopefully will
continue in the future. Grant money received by our organization in the
past from The Dubuque Racing Association has helped us purchase much
needed rescue equipment that might not have been possible without
their financial generosity. The Monticello Fire Department, like most rural
departmentS, depends on other resources besides taxation to keep their
organization operating each year. Raising taxes even/year to meet the
demands of operating expenses is not always a popular choice. We, as an
organization are in favor of an expanded Greyhound Park & Casino.
Sincerely,
Mark Stoneking, Fire Chief, Monticello Fire Department
DELWARE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
1208 WEST MARION ST.
MANCE[ESTER, IA. 52057
(563)927-5473
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
DesMoines, IA. 50309
Dear Commissioners,
We received your letter regarding the proposed expansion of the Dubuque
Greyhound Park and Casino.
In the past, we received funds from the DRA in support of our facility. We were able
to build a new senior center in Delaware County in 2000-2001, and funds from the
DRA were used to support some of the projects for our facility.
Your generosity in support of non-profit organizations such as ours is needed and
very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bob Clemen,
Board Chairman
CITY OF EPWORTH
212 N. CENTER AVENUE
P.O. Box 266
EPWORTH, IOWA 52045
563-876-3320
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The City of Epworth is offering its support of the facility expansion of the
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino.
An upgraded and larger facilitY would generate increased revenue to the Dubuque
Racing Association. 2-he DRA in turn provides a distribution Of its proceeds to
their Grant Award Program, which awards funds to non-profit o~ganizations
throughout eastern Iowa. Many fire and police departments, churches, parks,
schools, and other agencies have funded projects with the help of the DRA. This
aid to these agencies allows them to be viable in their communities.
The expansion should also serve to stimulate the economic impact tourism dollars
provide for Dubuque, the surrounding area, and the State of Iowa in related
purchases and taxes.
a~ely'
David R. Bries, Mayor
Holy Ghost Catholic School
2981 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001-1953
(563)556-1511 FAX (563)556-4768
Mary Smock, Principal
Iowa Racing and Gamlng~ Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, tA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the Dubuque Racing Association I wish to offer my support for the expansion of the
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Holy Ghost SchooI and many other non profit organizations
have benefited greatly from the generosity of the Dubuque Racing Association. In the past we
have been able to purchase textbooks, computer equipment, music equipment, and various other
materials that directly effect the quality of education that we provide our students. We are
grateful and support their efforts to expand.
Sincerely,
Mary Smcrck
Principal
10640 Lake Eleanor Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52003
563-557-9556
December 7, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
This letter is in regard to Dubuque Racing Association and their possible
expansion plans.
The impact the Dubuque Racing Association has had on the Dubuque
commtmity in general as well as Emergency Services in our area is
Phenomenal.
For the Dubuque community alone they have funded numerous
programs that otherwise would either not exist or would be left to serve
many less people due to funding that is just not available.
As for the impact the association has had on Emergency services in the
surrounding communities is unmatched by anyone or any organization.
Our organization alone since the beginning of their grant program has
been able to purchase 2 Life saving defibrillators, one in 1996 and an
updated model in 2003, we have also purchased personal protective
equipment for our firefighters, pagers and radio's to improve our
communications and safety.
On a regional level DRA has funded a grant for initial planning for our
regional training center we hope to break ground on this year which will
enable all emergency personnel in our region to train in real life
situations while training safely.
Personally our department has a unique challenge; due to budget cuts
our community has lost its ambulance service effective January 1, 2004.
Consequently our Department has Chosen to take on the ambulance
service for our area along with about $100,000 outlay'for equipment and
supplies to get started that was not planned on.
Our department serves a three township area of rUral Dubuque County
with 6000 plus residents that has seen a huge residential expansion
requiring more calls for service in recent years.
As for the furore, we will be looking to The DRA to help with some
updated equipment to better serve our community.
I would urge you to support their expansion plans as more slots mean
more employees are needed, as well as more revenue coming in and
possibly more funds to give to charitable organizations and the
community.
Thank you,
Brian S. Arnold, Chief
Key West Fire/EMS
10640 Lake Eleanor Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52003
JFK
Council # 5513
Knights Acres
7070 Sundown Road
Peosta, Iowa 52068
Phone: (319) 876-3101
Trustees: Ed Gansen .............. 588-1545
Grand Knight: Charlie Vaske ........ 744-3671
Advocate: Joe Bitter .................... 582-1768
Financial Secretary: Ralph Jasper...582-6175
Don Bries .............. 582-2852
Vincent Kotz ............. / 44-389
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I would like to state that our Knights of Columbus has received money from the Dubuque
Racing Association to help put a new floor on the upper level of our cotmcJ2 building for
the year 2002 and it has help us to install a badly needed roof for our building for the year
2003. Without this support, our organization would not benefit from th/s group. Our
facility is used by many community orgauizations and families hq the surrounding 20
mile radius.
Expanding the Dubuque Greyhomad Park & Casino would mean a lot to all the
commanity groups and organizations that benefit from its grant programs. With the
rising costs and expenses, it would be very beneficial that a larger facility would mean
increased revenues that our organization and other community organizations m the
Dubuqeland area could use.
I hope that you would consider an expansion for the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino.
Donald P. Bries
Trustee of Council #5513
3500 West Way
Dubuque, Iowa 52002
BERNARD RESCUE UNIT, INC
P.O. BOX 14
BERNARD IA 52032
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
In a recent article in the Telegraph Herald, we read that the Dubuque Greyhound
Park in considering an expansion. We would like to take this opportunity to let
you know we feel this would be a great asset to our community.
Our Rescue Unit, which is run solely on donations and volunteer help, has
received several dollars over the past few years from the Dubuque Racing
Association through their Grant Award Program. These dollars have enabled our
facility and service to purchase much needed equipment to aid in accident
rescues, patient care and general operations of our rescue service. If the park
were to expand it could mean more monies distributed to our tri-state area and
more non-profit organizations would benefit from it.
Please consider their request for expansion on the behalf of and for the benefit
of our community.
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully yours,
Vicki Noonan, Director/Treasurer
Board of Directors of
The Bernard Rescue Unit, Inc.
JAMESTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
KIELER, WISCONShN 53812
12-08-03
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court St. Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Jamestown Fire Department, Kieler,Wi, wishes to go on record as a supporter of the
Dubuque Greyhound park and Casiono's consideration of an expansion. It would
generate a great deal of added income to the State of Iowa, the city of Dubuque and the
areas in the tri-state surrounding Dubuque; namely in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.
In our situation the State of W~sconsin is in severe budget constraints and small
to~vnships and communities are facing a big decrease in state revenue sharing. This
means a cut of finances to the Jamestown Fire Department. The Dubuque Racing
Association through ks Grant Program has been more than generous in support of our
needed projects that we couldn't afford through our budget.
With the Dubuque Racing Association facing the possibility of a much higher tax rate,
expansion would be a viable option to the continued support of rtl~state non-p.rofi!
organizations. The Greyhound Park and Caskao is a first class well mn orgamzat~on
including its management team and we are sure the considered expansion would be an
added asset to the organization and community. It also would allow more people from
the tri-state area to go to the Park and have fun.
The Jamestown Fire Department is in the small community of Kieler, WI and we have
received over $41,000.00 over the past years. This has been a tremendous boast to our
ability to fully protect our area of responsibilky.
Please consider the expansion The Dubuque Racing Association is considering in the
future for the Greyhound Park and Casino.
Thank You,
Jamestown Fire Chief
Treasurer
City of New Vienna, Iowa
7271 Columbus Street · PO Box I9, New Vienna, iowa 52065-0019
(563) 921-2295
NEW VIENNA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Monies, IA 50309
Dec. 03, 2003
Dear ConnnisslonerS:
I am ~vriting this letter in support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino's desire
to expand their carrent facility. The New Vienna Police Department has greatly benelited from
their financial support over the past years. Without their help we would not have been able to
to upgrade and replace valuable needed equipment and or programs.
I am sure you are aware that funding for most equipment and/or programs is either nonexistent or
very competitive. The Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino's has made it possible for us to make
improvements to or~r police department, by allowing us to improve the quality of law
enforcement we provide to our commumty.
I know that our local Fire Dept., School, Historical orgmnizatiun and other programs in our
community have also benefited from their support.
Their plarmed expansion can hopefully add to the financial support they can provide our
Community in the future.
Please consider this when you consider'their request for expansion.
Respectfully
Mark F. Biatz kd
Chief of Police
New Vieuna Police Department
Worthington Fire Dept.
P.O. Box 165
Worthington, Iowa 52078
December 7, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, S,xite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter in response to the Greyhotmd Park & Casino expansion project.
The WortJaington Fire Dept. has received many gents from the Dubuqne Racing
Association Grant Awards Proganr. With the help of the DRA we have been able to
complete many projects that otherwise would not have been financially possible.
For example, we were able to put all our personal in tip to date Bunker Gear. We have
replaced or up-dated pumps and fire equipment that was urLreliable or out-dated. We also
pttrchased new equipment that make the job of iire fighting safer and more efficient.
Some of the projects that were complete with the help of the DtLS. are, a SCBA
Compressor, pump and tamk Skid for the grass fire truck, gas detector, inferred
temperature scarmer, and a Automatic Defibrillator.
In closing, The Worthin~on Fire Dept. is a small rural department. We supply fire and
EMS services to part of western Dnbuque County and eastern Delaware County. We rely
heavily on the Dubuque Racing Association Grant Progam to complete projects to
purchase equipment and personal protective gear. With the help of the DRA the
Worthin~on Fire Dept. has and will continne to provide fire and EMS services to it's
pazrons and providing mutual aid to the neighboring departme~xts.
Sincerely,
Mike Engler
Fire Chief
Worthin~on Fire Dept.
JC
~ ..... VIC & RECREATION FOUNDATION
i~SBURY AI~x ~
December 5, 200S
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission
?17 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
We realize that recently the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA), on behalf
of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino, located in Dubuque, Iowa, has
approached the Racing & Gaming Commission regarding possible
expansion of the Casino. We would like to express our support regarding
this expansion.
The DRA's Grant Award Program continues to support many community
efforts in the Tri-State Area. The Asbu~y Community has benefited
specifically from the DRA Grant Award Program, receiving funds which
aide in the support of our "Music in the Park Festival". This Music Pest,
which involves the 9ntire AsbarY Community and surrounding businesses,
provides the monies needed to improve our Park and Trail system here in
the City. The families, friends and visitors of the City of Asbury continue
to benefit from these funds.
On behalf of the Asbury Area Civic and Recreation Foundation, we would
like to again indicate that we support the D1KA's facility expansion request.
Sincerely,
Adams, President
AsburY Area Civic & Recreation Foundation
Cc: Shannon Gaherty, Dubuque Racing Association
Aquin Elementaq School
608 3rd Ave NW
Cascade, lA 52033
563-852-3331
December 5, 2003
To: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission:
Aqui. n Elementary has benefited in many ways du,e to the ge,nerosity
of the Dubuque Racing Association. In the past several years we nave
been able to purchase new playground equipment, additional library
books, updated technology equipment, reading programs and classroom
resources. Without their financial assistance, our school would not be
able to purchase these items. We truly appreciate the support the
Dubuque Racing Association has shown our school and its studehts.
Sincere[y,
Peter Smith, Principal
12/5/03
December 8, 2003
iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court Suite B
Des Moines iA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
As a life iong resident of Dubuque, [ am writing you in support of the proposed expansion at Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino. The current facility has provided an economic boost to our community, the
taxes generated and money donated to organizations has helped our community grow.
A few years ago six to eight parents decided that Dubuque needed to form a Little League Basebatl
program, to make sure eveW kid between the ages of 5-14 had an opportunity to play the great game
of baseball. With other organized select programs in the area we weren't sure what to expect, the
turnout was overwhelming with 300 kids the first year followed by 525 kids in year two.
After the first year we decided to apply for a DRA grant, to help start our league and ensure that our
cost remained Iow so any kid was abte to play baseball. Our board was extremely impressed with the
$20,000 grant that we were awarded. This money helps our cause, by providing the best equipment,
fields and uniforms for the kids. We did this for the kids of Dubuque and it won't be possibte without the
grant money that the Dubuque Racing Association provides to organizations throughout the Tri State
area.
Sincerely, .,¢ ·
Tom Schroeder
Secretary ! Treasurer
Dubuque Little League
4903 Twilight Dr
Dubuque IA 52002
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Su2te B
Des Moines, la 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Preston American Legion Post 602 of
Preston, Ia. who was fortunate enou~h to receive grant money fi:om the Dubuque
Racing Association.
We feel that the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino should expand their
operations. I?ae revenue that is given out in grants to non-profit organizations such
as ourselves .is a great asse,[ to the surrounding areas. Our Legion Post would never
have been abib re. purchase new uniforms to replace our old WW II uniforms if it
l~adn't bee~ for the generosity of the Dubuque Racing Association. They helped us
out with the grant and we in turn share our good fortune with everyone we serve--be
it military funerals, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Patriot Day and flag raising at
football games and parades. We are proud of our new uniforms and grateful to the
Dubuque Racing Association.
We urge you to give permission to the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino to
expand their facilities.
Thank You,
Gene T Camp, Commander
Tompkins Jenkins Post 602
USMC-.'64-!68 yiemam Vet
CARNEGIE-STOUT LIBRA2~Y FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 27
Dubuque, IA 52004~0027
December 7, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
Since 1996, The Cameg/e-Stout Library Foundation has benefited from generous grant
awards from the Dubuque Racing Association---awards that averaged $8,000 each year
for the past seven years.
An expanded facility would serve to increase revenue to toe the DRA and in turn increase
the chances of bringing more awards to non-profit organizations like ours. We urge you
to increase the number of slot machines at the DRA.
Sincerely,
Janet Marxen
President
cc: Shannon Gaher;y t/
RICKARDSVILLE ATiqLETIC CLUB
20135 ST. JOSEPH DR.
RICKARDSVII~LE, IA 52039
December 4, 2003
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Dubuque Racing Association. The Rickardsville
Athletic Club has received monies recently from the Dubuque Racing Association which was
used to make our public restrooms handicap-accessible. We also received money to up date our
30 plus year wiring and bali diamond lighting. These projects would not have been possible if
not for these grants. Our town is small consisting ofless than 100 people. The Athletic Club
makes enough each year just to survive, but up dating is not possible without the Dubuque
Racing Association funds. This ball diamond is very important to our town. It is where all the
kids play ball during the summer and sleigh ride during the winter. They also play soccer in the
fall. We very much appreciate everything the Dubuque Racing Association has done for the
Rickardsville Athletic Club in the past and hopes to receive in the future.
Debbie Brehm
Treasurer
Rickardsville Athletic Club
DJB
City of New ISienna, Iowa
7271 Columbus Street · PO Sox 19, New V~enna, Iowa 52065-0019
(563) 921-2295
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dec. 03, 2003
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter in support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino's ?sire
to expand their facility. We have greatly benefited ~om their financial support tn our
cormmunity over the past years. Without their help we would not have been able to install a
new weather warning siren, computer system that is shared by our city police and city clerk,
improvements to our police departments equipment and improvements to our baseball diamond.
I know they have also provided much needed support to otrr local Fire Dept., School and
Historical organization.
Their plarmed expansion can hopefmlly add to the financial support they can provide our
Community in the future.
Please consider this when you consider their request for expansion.
Respectfully
Kon Boeckenstedt
a~vo~r C~ty of New Vienna
13ernan:l Rescue Unit
547 Rolus
13ern;~, IA 52032
December 9, 2003
iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
It has come to our attention that the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's wish to expand their
current facility. As a representative of the Bernard Rescue Unit Board, I speak for the board when I say
this would be a positive impact for Dubuque and the surreunding area.
Through the years, The Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's has awarded grants to many non-
profit organizations in the community. Without these grants many organizations would not have the
abiIity to provide the service and care they have for people in the Dubuque area.
With Thanks to DBQ Greyhound Park and Casino's the Bernard Rescue Unit has been able to apply
grant money to the purchase of a new Rescue unit VehicIe and equipment needed for ruraI Iife saving
support. The 2003 grant provided the Bernard Rescue Unit with money for a portable generator,
teIescoping lights, and the conversion of one of our trucks to a Rescue Vehicte. The gas power
generator can be used to operator much needed equipment in Rescue procedures. The telescoping
lights provide safety not only for the victims, but for our Fire and EMS personnel in night time
recoveries. The converted truck provides space for extra personnel to travel to the scene of an
accident, as well as having all the needed equipment housed in one vehicle such as extra backboards,
Jaws of Life...
The Bernard Rescue Unit suppor~s increasing the number of machines at the Greyhound Park. This
would increase revenue for the district, which wouId go back to the surrounding community through the
generosity of the Grant Award program of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's. We sincerely
request your support to our community by expanding the Dubuque Greyhound Park.
Sincerely,
Deb Mahoney
Secretary Bernard Rescue Unit
ELiZ ~.&BETH CONIll, f UNITY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
PO. BOX 481
[SLIZAt315'I'H, IL. 6102 g-U481
815-858-3612 or e-mail elizabethfire~blkhawk.net
December 3, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission,
The Elizabeth Community Fire Protection District and the volunteer members of the Elizabeth
Fire Deparh'nent have been fortunate to receive grant ftmding from the Dubuque Racing
Association to help purchase equipment needed to protect lives, property and the firefighters
themselves.
Over the last two years we were able to get a washer and dryer to clean our bunker gear from
cancer causing toxins, foam systems for our engines, and upgrade our commuuications.
Our district does not have any industry and farming which was over 80% of our job force; has
dropped to less than 15%.over the last twenty years. We rely on tourism for the workforce in our
county and our fire district.
The Jo Daviess County and Elizabeth area are primarily retired senior citizens who live on a fixed
income, and the younger people usually live from paycheck to payeheck. So we don't have the
advantage of asking for or raising taxes for newer equipment.
The Dubuque Racing Association has been kind enough to allow ns to pursue funding through
their amnual grant program. To them we are very grateful and thankful for th=ir generosity for
allowing our district this opportunity for funding.
On behalf of the Elizabeth Community Fire Protection District we support the Dubuque Racing
Association and their strive for an expanded facility. As it will help amploy more people at the
facility, benefit our county and local tourism by the people driving through and maybe stopping
for some fuel, food or even lodging.
One cannot say enough of the money that the DRA has given to many emergency services in the
tri-state area. A defibrillator purchased through them to revive a victim of a heart attack,
someon~ in traffic accident needs special equipment to be extracted from the wreckage, or buying
training aid to better the training of emergency service personnel. Someone you know may have
or could be a recipient of this equipment that the Dubuque Racing Association has allowed the
funding for the tri-state area to be better equipped for emergency situations.
Their commitment to helping the emergency services, educational programs, and non-profit
support agencies, shows the concern and willingness to help with their distributions through the
Grant Award Program.
Respectfully yours,
Shawn R. Buck Kyle "Rob" Pearcc
Administrative Officer Fire Chief
Elizabeth Community Fire Protection District Elizabeth Community Fire Protection Dist.
Elizabeth Fire Department Elizabeth Fire Department
AADC
Asbury Area Development Corporation
5080 Asbury Road
Asbmh', Iowa 52002-0411
Phone: (319) 556-7106
Fax: (319) 556-2001
December 4, 2003
Iowa Racing & G~ming Commission
717 East Court, SaUte B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commi.$siolh. ers:
On behalf of the AADC Board, I wish to advise that the AADC supports a remodeled and upgraded
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. A larger facility would result in increased revenue that correlates to
increased distrSbut[ons through their Grant Award Program.
The AA.DC has received monies to: 1) Purchase utility meter rendSng prograra. 2) Development of a web
site for the City and for economic development purposes.
The A~a3DC purchased the water systems serving the City of Asbury in 2001; however, the AADC did not
have the necessary funds to purchase of the meter-reading program. The meter reading program allows the
meter reader to secure meter readings automatically through a touch pad on the outside of buildings. The
city staff is then able to dow~oad the readings directly into the utility program software. Tlzis saves having
to eater over 1,000 meter readings by hand.
The website wSlt be used as a tooI for economic development purposes as welI as being a source of keeping
our 2,450+ citizens informed on what is occurring in our growing city.
Thank you.
Si¢~erely~ /
Richard A. Anderson
President
FARLEY, iOWA 52046
ares..
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commissioners
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Dubuque County Fire Association. As
president oftlfis quality and prestigious organization, I would strongly recommend a
favorable vote for the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. It is with
great pride that I can attest to the commitment and dedication of the Dubuque Greyhound
Park and Casino to the area emergency services community. Without the commitment of
our local gaming establishment, many of the services and enhancements that have been
made by their generous contributions may not have been possible. Contributions by
DGP&C have made it possible to purchase pagers, defibrillators, blitz-fire-nozzles,
protective safety gear, and numerous other safety equipment. The benefi~ to local
responders and the general public of northeastern Iowa has truly been enhanced by these
continued contributions.
The Dubuque County Fire Fighters Association will proudly go on record in
support of expansion plans for DGP&C. It is with partnerships as the one we have
established, that opportunities and prosperity may continue to enhance the quality of life
ill our
I ask for your support/n the expansion proposal set forth by Dubuque Greyhound
Park & Casino for the betterment of the Tri-State Area.
Sincerely,
President, Dubuque County Firefighters Assn.
DUBUQUE EVENING
OPTLMIST CLUB
OPTIMIST
INTERNATIONAL
P.O. Box 3395
806 Eddy Street
Maquoketa, Iowa 52080
(563) 652-3743
Dec. 4,2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Conzmissioners,
It has come to my attention that the Dubuque Greyhound Park amd Casino wishes to
expand their facility. I would favor this expansions, as it would benefit those of us in
the community. If the facility is expamded, remodeled and upgraded, it would result in
increased revenoie, which correlates to increased distributions through the Grant
Award Program.
We have been most fortUnate in receiving grants the past several years, amd
hopefully will receive one this year, too. Last year we 'received a grant of $9501.00,
which was used to put a new sound system in our gszm, pins we bought a stage and two
sets of steps, which will be used exmnsively in our gym.
The year before we received $3000.00, which was a partial payment for new
playground equipment.
The year before that we were fortunate to receive a grant for some new desks for our
students, since they were using forty year old desks.
So you can see that we are in favor of a larger facility, which would increase
revenue, not only for us, but for many non-profit organizations.
If you would like further information, please feel free to contact me at the above
number.
Respectfully,
Sister Rite Green,
Principal
Ohnward Fine Arts Center
PO Box 995
Maquok=ta, IA 52060
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, iA 50309
Dear Gaming Commission:
The Dubuque Racing Association has had a huge impact on our
construction project at the Ohnward Fine Arts Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.
The Assoc~abon support in our project is helping to make a dream come
true.
We strongly support the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino facility. Thank you.
Gary Drew
Director
Ohnward Fine Arts Center
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
PLATTEVILLE
December 12, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I would fully support an expansion project at the Dubuque Greyhound Park
& Casino. An expansion project would produce many benefits to not only the Iowa
citizens, but also those of the tri-state area. The University of Wisconsin - Platteville was
a recent recipient of a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association that allowed the
Sports Medicine staff to purchase two Automated External Defibrillators and Automated
External Defibrillator Trair2ng Machine. With these machines in our training facJiifies,
we are not only able to provide a positive learning environment for out students, but also
possible immediate life-saving care for the athletes competing.
The Dubuque Racing Association is a valuable business within the community. Their
generous contributions to local program of the tri-state area have provided opportunities
that these programs would not have otherwise had. These non-profit organizations
benefit greatly from the Dubuque Racing Association's contributions in helping provide
services to the citizens of Iowa and the tri-state area.
I am very supportive in the Dubuque Racing Association's plan for growth and applaud
their commitment to community programs.
Thank You:
Chad Kelsey
Assistant Athletic Trainer
University of Wisconsin-Fiatteville
:Fariey, L~, 52046
t
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
We are writing this letter to support the facility expansion plans of the Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino. We believe this would be of benefit to many people.
Not only would the construction of the expansion provide construction jobs for many
in and around Dubuque, but the expansion of the Park also provides an increased
opportunity for many others to benefit.
Baldwin Volunteer Fire Department has been a benefactor of the Grant Award
Program sponsored by the Dubuque Greyhound Park. And not just once, but three years
now. The amount we have received in three years totals $1.1,847.80- We have used these
funds to purchase two storm sirems for the community of Baldwirg which had no other
storm warning equipment in place. A fire rescue saw, fire hose and track mounted lights
have also been purchased with the help from the Grant Award Program- Our Department
works on a very, very limited budget and appreciates may help given by organizations.
You can imagine how far our $I,300 budget PEP- YEAR would go towards purchasing
the above equipment!
We urge you to approve the expansion request for the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Rohwedder
Assistant Fire Chief
Baldwin Iowa Volunteer Fire Department
WISC. BADGER CAHP
PAGE 02
P.O. [~c~x ?'23, Pfa#ewll~, W!
WISCONSIN
BADGER CAMP
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines IA 50309
Dear IRGC Members
Wisconsin Badger Camp is fully in favor of the proposed expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound
Park and Casino. Not only would the expansion positively effect tourism and interest in the
Dubuque and tri-state area, it ,,voutd also assist hundreds of non-profit organizations, such as
Wisconsin Badger Camp, in the entire tri-state area as we]I.
Wisconsin Badger CamF is a non-profit organjzatlon dedicated to serving individuals with
developmental disabilities. Campers who attend Badger Camp have come from throughout the
tri-state area to participate in activities such as swimming, camping, nattrre studies, and .many
other educational and recreational outdoor activities.
The Dubuque Racing Aasociatio.rk the charitable arm of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
has supported hundreds of nonprofit organizations thc past several years, including Wisconsin
Badger Camp. With increased revenue resulting from an expanded facility, the Dubuque Racing
Association would be able to posit/vely effect even more organizations throughout the M-slate
area. The positive economic effects on those organizations would be tremendous.
Please support the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino expansion. It would be a welcome
addition to rite city of Dubuque, the state of Iowa, and the entire tri-state area. Should you have
any questions, please call me at (608) 348-9689 and I can tell you more about how the Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino and Dubuque Racing Association has greatly impacted Wisconsin
Badger Cramp_
Sincerely,
Brent Bowers
gxccu'dve Director
Wisconsin Badger Camp, Inc.
C o[Es ua¢ & RESCUE
Colesburg, Iowa 52035 Est. 1930
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 E. Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners,
On behalf of Colesburg Fire & Rescue and the community we serve, I ask that you please consider
the expansion request from the Dubuque Racing Association.
The Dubuque Racing Association has been a tremendous asset to the Tri-State area beyond the jobs
they provide to the Dubuque community. Their support of the Fire & EMS ser¥ices has provided
communities like ours with up to date equipment artd training that could not have been purchased in a timely
mariner on our budgets alone. This results in safer communities and safer conditions for our volunteer
Firefi~xters and EMS personnel-
The generosity of this grant program to the Colesburg Fire & Rescue not only benefits the Colesburg
community, but also with the increase in mutual aid calls, touches the lives of all our neighboring
communities.
The Colesburg Fke & Rescue encourages the Iowa Racing and Gaming Corrunission to approve the
Dubuque Racing Association's request for expansion because this would make more money available for
their grant program which truly enhances the quality of life for Iowans in our part of the state.
Thank you for your time and for listening.
S gn~rely, ~. - ,
Dale Boeckenstedt, Treasurer /
Cotesburg Fire & Rescue
BO]B i~II)]Et~ ~f~]~-~EI~
i~OBEi°~T V. I~IDEI~
December20,2O03
Dear Friend,
My kennel, that is booked at Dub uqoe and Council Bluffs, iowa and is wholly owned by myself, an Iowa
resident would like to suppor~ Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino in their venture of adding additional slot
machines. It would not only help the ,_state of iowa with more income from the additional taxes but would help
the track and the purses to the kennels and dog owners.
Belmont Fke Department
103 Market St
Belmont, WI 53510
December 10, 2003
Iowa Racing md Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
The Belmont Fke Department greatly supports the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
AlthungJa we have never received grant money fi.om the Racing Association, increased revenue fi.om this
expansion would likely increase grant money available. With more money available, k is our hope that an
increased number ofvoltmteer organizations would be able to benefit from these grants.
The Belmont Fke Deparanent is strictly volunteer department. Equipment and training costs are contm, umg
to increase on an manual basis. We operate with a limited budget with the majority of our income coming
from donations and fund raising efforts. The assistance fi.om the Dubuque Racing Association in the form
ora grunt would be of great benefit to our department as well as greatly appreciated. Thank you for your
time.
Sincerely, ~
Chief
Belmont Fke Department
MONTICELLO AMBULANCE SERVICE
220 EAST SOUTH STREET
MONTICELLO, IA 52310
Phone (319) 465-4560
Fax (319~465-5929
Iowa Racing and Gambling Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Monticello Ambulance Service wishes to file this letter of support for the expansion of the
facilities of the Dubuque Racing Association for the following reasons:
In the past the Dubuque Racing Association has assisted not only the City ofMonticello's ambulance
service, but also the entire population nf Jones County thru its Grant Award Program to Emergency
Medical Care, the counties Fire Departments as well as its Law Enforcement. Grants from the
Dubuque Racing Association have specifically increased the quality nflife for the residents of Jones
County thru such programs as:
1) Purchasing cardiac defibrillators which are carried by the Jones County SherilT s
Department in their squad cars whom can arrive at a rural address sooner than a local
ambulance and administer life saving emergency cardiac defibrillation.
2) Funding of a radio system fur the Monticello Ambulance Service which was setup so that
ail ambulance service's in Jones County could utilize a "clear channel" for medical
communications from dispatch to the ambulance in the field.
3) A grant which assisted in the purchase of a hand held blood analyzer which the Monticello
Ambulance Service uses in conjunction with its patient care.
4) Assisting in the purchase of a new cardiac monitor/defibrillator for the Monticello
Ambulance Service.
We would like to strongly voice our support of the expansion of facilities of the Dubuque Racing
Association. We feel that with greater profits the Association wilI be able to provide more grants to
those services and associations which relay on such grants so that they can provide services.
Respectfully,
Larry Tedrow, Director
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA. 50309
Dear Commissioners,
My name is Jerry Miller and I am the assistant Fire Chief of the
Masonville Volunteer Fire Department. Recently I was contacted by the
Dubuque Racing Association about their plans for expansion and was
asked ifI would support them. My first reaction was "you bet I will".
Over the past three years the Dubuque Racing Association has helped us
on different projects that we could not have completed with out their
generous grant award program. We have been able to update some of
our outdated equipment with their help. We are a small town with a
small budget and it would have taken years longer to accumulate the
money to complete these projects. If the Dubuque Racing Association
expands then in mm so would their Grant Program and that would help
out even more for our Fire Department and other organizations that
benefit from this program. The Dubuque Racing Association has my full
support and I hope that they have yours also.
Sincerely,
Jerry Miller
Assistant Fire Chief
Masonville Fire Department
12015 SHERRILL ROAD
DUBUQUE, IA 52002-9731
PHONE: 563-588-8350
MICHAEL HOGAN,
PRINCIPAL
11969 Sher~ill Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52002
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
7t7 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners,
Hello. I am writing a letter to you to let you know the wonderful benefits students
in the Dubuque Communky Schools have received th'om the Dubuque Racing
Association Grants. Our student's libraries have been filled ~vith beautiful new books to
support reading, reading programs, and to foster the life long love of reading. As a
district librarian I have seen the checkout of books in our school library increase by 40%
since we have acquired the funds from the DRA grant to purchase new books. That's
quite an increase. The grant money has also helped equip our schools playgrmmds with
safe and updated equipment for students to enjoy during the school day as well as on the
weekends and in the summers with their families. With the continual budget cuts in
education and the many advances in technology, the DRA ~ants have made it possible
for our students to learn technology education that is so essential in today's demanding
society. I already see the need to begin to replace computers that are becoming so out
dated it they can not keep up with the demand placed on them each day and through the
hot summers. Our educational community needs the continual support from such funding
sources as the DtLA grants to help keep us where we need to be for our children. Please
consider the expansion approval for the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. I thank you
for your time.
Sincerely,
Lorie M. Duclos
Teacher
Sageville School
SS Peter & Paul
1625 - 300~h Ave
Dyqrsville, IA 52040
563-875-7992
St. Boniface Church
P.O. Box 215
New Vienna, IA 52065
563-921-2465
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of both of my parishes, I would like to express my gratitude to the
Dubz~que Racing Association for helping us with some major projects the Iast few years
and to the New Vierma/Ltnxemburg Fire Departments of which we are the beneficiary.
Over the past years, the DP,& has helped us with the preservation of an historical
piece of musical equipment at New Vienna. The church was blessed several years ago
with a Schuelke Organ which is on the historical register. It was badly in need of repair
and the parish did not have the money to do the work. The parish turned to the DRA and
was a~varded the necessary finances.
Next it was necessary to revamp and improve the frre alarm system for om:
schools. The changes had to be made as directed by the State for the protection of the
students, teachers and visitors. The help of the DP,& was requested and given.
With a volunteer fn:e department, the new things needed for the upgrading of
items needed to serve these communities, financing was requested and again given by the
DRA. These new additions have served many people in life-threatening situations for
these past years.
Our thanks is extended to the Dubuque Racing Association and lend my support
to those wishing to entrance the facilities and to help other organizations like onrselves.
Sincerely,
John J. O'Connor
Pastor of SS Peter & Paul, DyersviIle, la
Pastor of St. Boniface Ne~v Vierm~ Ia
Office of the Sheriff
Jo Daviess County
Steven R. Allendorf, Sheriff
Brian R. Melton, Chief Deputy
"Committed to Service and Protection"
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines IA 50309
Re: Dubuque Racing Association
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing this letter in support of the Dubuque Racing Association's request to expand the
Dubuque Greyhotmd park & Casino.
The Tri-State Area and the residents of Iowa benefit greatly from the Dubuque Racing
Association (DRA). Through the DP,-A's generous contributions and support to not-for-profit
organizations in the Tri-State Area, the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office has been able to
obta{n funds for much needed equipment. If allowed to expand, the DRA would be able to
continue and even increase their contributions to the Tri-State Community.
The DRA's expansion would be a "win" for Iowa and the Tri-State Area.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me at
your convenience.
Yours Truly,
Sheriff
Jo Daviess County, Illinois
SRA/brm
Home of .Wisconsin's First State Capitol
P.O. Box 52 " Belmont, WI 53510
December 10, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Conmnsslon
717 East Court, suite B
Des Moiness IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
' · the Dubuque Racing Association in the
The Belmont Ambulance Sermen was the remptent ora grant fi.om
year 2000. That money was used to purchase a clefibnllauon umt that was placed m our ambulance
unit has been a great asset to our ambulance service as it allows our EMTs to defibrillate patients on scene
thus increasing survival rotes of our patients.
The Belmont Ambulance Service is a small volunteer squad. We operate with a limited budget with the
majority of our income coming fi.om donations and fund raising efforts. The Belmont Ambulance Ser,Ace
supports the expanded tiacility of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Without the assistance o£the
grants fi'om the Dubuque Racing Association, large purchases, such as our defibrillator, would not be
possible·
Sincerely,, I /
Robarta Harms
Co-Chief
Belmont Ambulance Service
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, ]IA 50309
To the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission:
The Visiting Nurse Association supports the proposed expansion of the Greyhound Park
& Casino in Dubuque. The Visiting Nurse Association is one of many non-profit
organizations in the tri-state area that has benefited from the Grant Award Program of the
Dubuque Racing Association. The Greyhound Park & Casino has a~varded grants to
many organizations over the years, clearly showing their commitment to support the
community and give back to the community by helping non-pro~it groups.
Please consider the importance of the Grant Award Program and the positive effect on the
commtmity as you review the proposed expansion of the Greyhoand Park & Casino.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathy Pdpple, Administrative Director
1306 Delhi St.
Dubuque iowa 52001
(563) 583-0306
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, ia 50309
Dear Commissfoners:
As the ciub manager of Post ¢8 in Dubuque, our organization firmiy agrees with the expansion
and remodeling of Dubuque Greyhound Park & Ca.sir~. D~u~uque has showed it is behind the
Racing association in the past and is behind them ]n the ~u[ure.
We don't feel that adding Tracks or Casinos elsewhere in the state is the way to go. Remodel and
expand what we have. Too much of anything is not good for anyone. Ali that advocates is
someone is not going to last long. Let's get behind this project, and make it bigger & better, not
oniy for Dubuque but also for ali the tourists who come to our city.
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino has been a great help to our community, by helping with
grants to make our organizations better. We have been able to remode[ our bar and bailreom,
with the help of Greyhound Park. This helped our club, by attracting new customers to our
facilities. They aiso heiped provide the uniforms for our funeral detail. As a non-profit
organization, we need help to keep our club alive. We need to remodel and update to help our
veterans.
Our organization helps veterans. These are, for the most part, the age group who use Greyhound
Park. They are the people who helped give us the freedoms we have now. By remodeiing our
Casino, this will have a greater impact on our community, residents and veterans.
Dubuque is finally getting into the 21~ century. We have Greyhound Park; we are getting better
roads in and around us. We test Dubuque Packing Co. and ~toh~ Deere is not what it was.
Expand Greyhound Park and keep Dubuque moving in a positive direction.
/ Kenneth J. Steuer
Manager
American Legion Post #6
Area Residential Care, Inc.
Empowering people with mental disabilities to achieve their highest quality of life.
1170 Roosevelt St, Ext. · Dubuque, Iowa 52001 - (563) 556-7560
Jan Romaine
Executive Director
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA. 50309
Dear Cormmissioners:
Area Residential Care, a non-profit corporation providing residential and vocational
services to adults with developmental disabilities, has benefited greatly from donations
and grants made throughout the years by the Dnhuqne Racing Association. The monies
that our organization has received from the DRA have helped us purchase: equipment to
allow persons in wheelchairs to ride in mini-vans, fire and security alarm systems for
homes and workshop buildings, and telephone systems to enhance commurfication
bet~veen staff in various agency locations. We greatly appreciate these items and all of
the other support that the Dubuque Racing Association has provided to Area Residential
Care, and many other non-profit groups throughout the Tri-state area.
Now, the Dubuque Racing Association is in a unique position to offer increased support
o£ community non-profits through expansion of its gaming facilities. Area Residential
Care would certainly offer our encouragement and support to the D.R.A. to do so. As
state, county, and local government tax bases decline, agencies such as Area Residential
Care, will need to depend more and more on donations and grants. We would hope that
the Dubuque Racing Association could be one of those sources of increasing non-
governmental financial support that we can count on. Please encourage the increased
support of area non-profit groups by the Dubuque Racing Association through allowing
them to do what they think is necessary in the area of expansion.
Executive Director
Vocational Services Center * 2455 Kerper BLvd. · Dubuque, Iowa 52001
rh~lc~r~r~ CnunW Vocaiioncl Services Center · 609 Jasper · Manchester, iowa 52057
December 6 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
We are writing in support of the proposed expansion of the Dubuque Racing
Association's Greyhound park and Casino· The Dubuque Racing Association plays a
significant role in the entertainment industry in Dubuque, but also in the tri-state area
(Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin), by providing gaming, as well as food and entertainment.
However, the bigger and more important role of the Dubuque Racing Association is its
· - organizations throug~h its Grant
non-profit status and si=mxificant conmbut~on to local ·
Award Program. The racing association supports organizations committed to advancing
education, the arts, and health care, all across the tri-state area. Our organization has
benefited from a grant that provided for advanced education for emergency care
responders and EMTs as well as improved communications through the purchase of
improved radios. We are a very small organization of 7 members of a first responder unit
serving anywhere from 500 to 1500 people depending upon the time of year. In a large
tourist area such as the tri-states, we see our population blossom in the summer.
However, because of our size, we have VERY 1Lmited income and money to cover
needed equipment, education and advancement. The grant provided by the Dubuque
Racing Association really made a difference in our organization-
I personally know of at least three other EMS organizations -just in southwestern
Wisconsin - that have benefited from the Dubuque Racing Association's grants. The
people in Southwestern Wisconsin support the Greyhound park and Casino by utilizing
their facilities, and thus, also are more likely to spend additional money and time in
Dubuque.
Thank-yo,u for this oppormuity to share our support of Dubuque Racing Association·
Para Myhre,
EMT - First Responder - Re~stered Nurse
~Ba~le2] Volunteer q;ire q)epartment Girst P~sponder Or~lanizati°n
P.O. ~ox102 -¢agle~, W155801
Dickeyville - Paris Volunteer Fire Department
December 4, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
This letter expresses Dickeyville - Paris VoIunteer Fire Department's support for the proposed
expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. We are a small Wisconsin 50 member
volunteer fire department that borders Iowa. We operate on a very limited budget. Our
department and the citizens we help to protect have benefited substantially from generous
donations from the Dubuque Racing Association.
Over the years we have received grant money to help purchase a new water tanker, a thermal
imaging camera, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire hose, K-12 rescue saw, and vehicle
chains for winter driving. Without these donations from the D1LA our department may have not
been able to purchase these products. The purchases oL~r department has made with the help of
the DRA have greatly improved firehighter safety and has allowed us to better serve our
community' and the citizens who travel through it.
In today's world you can never be to prepared for an emergency. With the help of organizations
like the DP,-A we can better prepare for what lies ahead. In today's economic times there has been
many program cuts. Expansion of the Dubuque Greyhmmd Park and Casino will help ensure that
there ~vill always be money for nonprofit organizations such as ours. Without this funding many
organizations that receive grant awards will not thrive and some may not even survive. Our
organization is tremendously gratef~-d to the Dubuque Racing Association for ail the support we
have received throughout the years.
Respectfully,
Josh Kuepers
Assistant Fire Chief
Dickey~ille - Paris Volunteer Fire Department.
100 Short Street P.O. Box 337 Tel: (608) 568-3095
Dickevville, WI 53808 Dickeyville, YVI 53808
tosi
Athle;i¢ Director
(608) 7fl3-2161
(608) 763-2162
- K-12 Principal
(608) 763-2161
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Comrmss~on
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I support an expanded facility for the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. The Dubuque
Racing Association has been very generous to the Potosi Public Schools through its Grant Award
Programs.
With one DRA grant, we purchased four computers and drafting software for our Industrial Art
Department. We now teach our students computer-aided drafting or CAD. This would not have
happened without a DRA grant.
With another grant we purchased an electronic keyboard, a computer and music software for our
music department. We now teach music composition and theory to our students· This would not
have happened without a DRA grant.
With another DRA grant we purchased digital cameras and a color laser printer· We haYe
greatly improved our school publications and our monthly newsletter to parents· This would not
have happened without a DRA grant.
With another DRA grant, we purchased a digital video camera. We now include on our district
web site video clips of student performances in plays, musicals, and forensics. This would not
have happened without a DRA grant.
Without the DRA grants, the Potosi Schools would not be able to offer its students many of the
"extras" that other schools take for granted. For these reasons, I support an expanded facility
for the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
Sincerely,
Richard Schicker
Chairman, Mathema¢cs and Computer Science Departments
Pres[dent Maxine Bussan
227 S Main Street GALENA IL 6103
Office:815-777-2i I E mail: mtbussan@yahoo.com
KIWANIS CLUB of GALENA IL
Treasurer Robert J. Jolmson
519 S Bench St. GALENA IL 61036
815-777-3450 ~j @ galenlink.corn
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
December 6, 2003
Dear Commissioners:
An article in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald recently reported the
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino has a plan to expand the capadty
of their facility. The article also indicated that the "Iowa Racing and
Gaming Commission" must look into the matter and grant them
permission to increase the number of slot machines that can be
operational at the present Greyhound Park & Casino location.
First let me state that this Kiwanis Club, (a non-profit organization)
has been a benefactor of the local monetary support given to needy
projects in the area. True we are an Illinois group, but within the Tri
state area, the Dubuque Racing Association and the Greyhound Park
Casino have been openly fair in granting support to the total
Communities needs in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.
In our view the requested expansion will contribute positively to
the economic future of this area. The positive influence for increased
employment and higher tourism traffic will benefit other local
businesses; as well as the continuation of direct support given by the
DRA to the needs of Public Safety and Educational Projects.
We support the requested remodeling and upgrade; that the
Casino will have in our community. The presence here of The Dubuque
Racing Association has been a great economic benefit the Tri State
Residents, directly and through the support of our communities social
and safety needs.
We urge you to look favorably on their request!
Kiwanis Y.-karkks You!
December 3, 2003
Steven J. Lucke
11823 HWY 62
Maquoketa, Iowa 52060
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
As trustee/treasurer of the Arldrew Benefited Fire District and an associate member of the
Andrew Volunteer Firemen, I am writing to you and asking for your support of the proposed
expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
The Dubuque Racing Association, in conjunction with the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino,
have created a Grant Award program, benefiting eastern Iowa, that is second to none. Over 2.2
million dollars was returned this year, to organizations that depend on this grant for su.rvival.
The proposed expansion of this facility would better serv'e Dubuque, it's residents and the
surrounding communities through both improved facilities and increased revenue. As a patron of
the facility, I see the need for expansion of the number of slot machines at tlae park. Ofter~ the
facility is crowded, with people waiting to play speci'fic machines. Current space does not allow
for needed varieties of slot machines, as aisles are close and it is increasingly harder to move
about the facility. Popular games are limited in number, due simply to space limitations.
With expanded slot play, and more room in an expanded facility it would be plxysically easier,
more enjoyable, and would allow for increased revenue throug~h higher daily income.
The Andrew Volunteer Firemen have been recipients of the Dubuque Racing Association grants
over the last 6 years. Receiving this support has allowed us to expand our current facilities,
equip our fire fighters with O.S.H.A. approved gear, and supply them with needed breathing
equipment to fight frres. Even with maximum Ie~,? of county tax revenue, the fire district
receives less than $21,000 for the year. With almost 40% going for insurance, it leaves little for
a fire department to mn on. These grants have been a lifesaver for our fire department and our
community
Tlxe future expansion of the Dubuque Racing Association Grant Program means future increased
support for not only the Dubuque community & non-profit organizations, but for many' Eastern
Iowa groups, including ours.
Please support the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino in their effort :o expand their facility.
With your support ...we ail end up wirmers!
SincereI¥,
~--~. ~ ~ ~
Steve Lucke ~ ~ -
Andrew Fire Depa_ament
B 367, Miles, IA
~fpE~rNTE!¥DENT
James
563-682-7510 Fax: 563-682-7194
Elementary Principal
Carl. B. Kueter
Miles: 682-7131
Sabuia: 687-2427
Fax: 687-2473
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
?17 East Court, Suite B
Des ~,foines, 1.4. 50309
l-ligh School Principal
Warren Amman
Miles: 682-'7131
Curriculum Director
Mary House
Miles: 682-7131
Sabuta: 687-2427
Dear Commissioners:
I understand that the Greyhound Park and Casino is considering an expansion. I know you
are looking at the impact of such an economic move. Even though I teach in the small community of
Sabula do,,vnriver, the town of Dubuque has been instrumental in creating wonderful learning
opportunities for my students-
I teach eighth grade language arts and a class on the Mississippi River. In this class, I
integrate computer projects of all kinds with the river theme. We are a small and economically
deprived community with kids who have very few t~chnol6gi~al advantages anywhere but school, so
the grant we received last year was a godsend in prdm~ti~g learning for ?ur students. We purchased
computers, projector, digital camera and printer and ink supplies. ' ' ..... x" '
Our technology budget is non existent and whatever we get for our kids is through the
efforts of staff to write grants. When we b~came a first time recipient this year, I'm telling you, the
mood was ecstatic, espeeialiv with the kids. They were quite proud of this. Even though we are no~
in the immediate area of Du'buque, we rely on what you have to offer. The casino boat in Clinton
does not allow us this opportunity for grant money.
My classes were also fortunate to have visited the Riverboat Museum in Dubuque's Ice
Harbor this fall. Despite the hour-long drive to get to Dubuque, we were thrilled with what we saw.
The only thing 1 can say is that in the eyes of the students, and of their parents, the city of Dubuque
stands tall in what it stands for educationally.
With the Greyhound's opportunity to increase facility and revenue, the Grant Award
Program may also increase its opportunity to gift non-profit organizations like ours in the future.
Our needs do not stand still; they are ongoing. Keeping up to technology, as well as the basic needs
of building maintenance and curriculum development is endless. We must look to others outside the
wails here for help.Therefore, I offer m3 wholehearted support to the efforts of the Dubuque
Greyhound Park and Casino's expansion projecz.
Laurel Gruhn. East Central Middle School
' ' "Box 307
Sabula, Iowa 52070
S63-687-2427
ljgruhn @ east-ceutral.kl2.ia.us
December 3,2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Comm~ssmn
77t7 East Court, suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Comrnissio~
I write/~ total support of the efforts of the Dubuque land Greyhound Parle I support their
efforts to upgrade, expand and remodel the current facility. I cannot put m words how
kmportant the generosity of the Dubuque Racing Association is to Iowa's Emergency
Responders. The grant awards truly have a positive impact. Many of the area responders
would never ever be able to have the modem equipment we have to day due to the
gemerosity of the mc/rig associafio~ We all know the state of the economy. The
reinvention bill passed last session has added another burden to the tax/rig bodies of our
area. This bill has created another funding void in an already grossly under funded public
safety arena.
The Greyhound Park has such a pos/five impact/n this area. The park has created
jobs, increased tourism, supported non-profit organ/?mSons with funding grants and has
the total support of the citizens as expressed in the past vote to retain gaming. By
allowing the Grey Hound Park to remodel and expand you will create a larger funding
source for area non-profits. Th~nk you so much for your consideration.
Tom Hancock,
Immediate Past President
Iowa Fxremen s Association
SABULA
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
201 VULCAN ST.
POST OFFICE BOX 351
SABULA, IOWA 52070
December 6, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter in support of the expansion request by the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino. I believe granting this request would be in the best interest of the park, the people it
serves and the public k supports. My interest is in support for all three of the previous mentioned
interests. The following comments will explain why.
I am the fire chief o£a small community 45 miles south of Dubuque. Our department has
requested and received funding from the DRA for the last 6 yekrs. This funding has been in the
form of 100% grants. These grants Nave allowed om: department to purchase more than $46,000
of emergency equipment for our small town volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue department.
T~vo of the largest and moSt beneficial purchases were the total funding of a new rescue boat
package and the Life-pack 12 automatic defibrillator for our ambulance. These two packages cost
over $22,000 alone. Another piece of emergency rescue equipment just purchased with their
generous grant monies this year was the new ~'Rescue Alive" special ice-rescue unit. Al1 of these
purchases and more are a great benefit to the citizens of this small island city along the
Mississippi. And of course very appreciated by om: community and department. These generous
gifts from the DKA only help us to serve om: community and citizens better.
As I am sure you are aware, city budgets are getting more closely scrutinized everyday because
of the state of the economy these days. Om: small to~vn and department are no different than any
other. We desperately need this grant money to support these worth while projects in our
community.
We are hopeful that you will grant the request of the DRA so they may continue to support our
commtmity and the many, many others they have throughout the years. The DRA group is a fair,
caring and very community minded organization that truly does make a difference.
Dan Miller
Fire Chief
SABULA AP4BULANCE SERVICE
20t VULCAN STF1EET
POST OFFICE BOX $03
SABULA, IOWA 52070
Non-Emergency Phone (319) 687-2432
Fax (3t9) 687-2877
December 8th, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite IB
Des Moines, ia. 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing this letter in support of the expansion request by the DRA at the Dubttque
Greyhound Park & Casino. Granting this request would be in the best interest of the
many people this organization has supported the past years.
The Sabula Ambulance Service is truly a volunteer service. Our vehicles are housed in a
"City" building--the fire dept allows us to keep the vehicles at the fire station. We do
not receive any money from the City of SabuIa for supplies, vehicle repair, etc. We are
not included m the C~ty budg .
Our organization has been able to keep up with the need for new equipment by 5vrit/ng
grants to the DRA. They have been extremely supportive[[[ We now have pediatric
equipment that will help us give the best care possible to our' smaller patients .
The Sabula Ambuiance service is very hopefLtl you will grant the request of the DRA so
they may continue to support our service and others as well.
S~?erely, ,
D~-f~ Miller
Sabula Ambulance
Hew Vieflna-LuxemburU Communi Fir8 DelIL
NEW V~ENNA, Dk~ 52065
December 14, 2003
Iowa Racing and Ga~ng Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines IA. 50309
Dear Commissioners:,
The New Vienna-Luxemburg Fire Department has received more than $39,000.00 over the l~st six years. The
generosity and hard work of the Dubuque Racing Association has benefited our department m many ways.
We have purchased a new defibrillator and air compressor system to fill our SCBA's, we have also purchased
new bunker coats and equipped a brash buggy with funds that the Dubuque Racing Association bas given to our
department. We have greatly enhanced patient care and fire fi~ghter safety with these purchases.
The Dubuque Racing Association Grant dollars have helped many organizations expand there help in our Tri-State
Area: The dollars given to schools, handicap caraps, fire departments, otc, have helped al1 citizens in our
communities in one way or another. It seems there is always a place for more.
The New V[eana-Luxemburg Fire Department does support the expansion plums for the Dubuque Racing
Association's plans to expand the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. We wish the Dubuque Racing
Associntion continued success in the future.
Sincerely
Henry Westhoff, Cklef~ /1 .,
New V'ienna~Luxem'durg Fire Department
PO Box 102
New Vienna, Ia. 52065
mmlanfl gnmmunit ulun $cllo01
[09 Green Street
PO Box I09
Wyoming, IA 52362
?hone 563-488-2292
FAX: 563488-2253
E-mail: mihansenOmidland.k [2.ia.us
December 4, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Conunission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
We lend our full support to an expanded facility for the Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino. They have been a very active supporter of not only their local organizations, but
have supported organizations in their entire geographical area.
This past year our school improvement committee applied for and received a $5,000
Dubuque Racing Association Grant. These funds were used to purclxase a new stage
curtain and sound system for our gymnasium. Cormmuhity members of all ages can now
come to Midland and actually hear during graduation ceremonies, school musicals,
variety shows, Veterans Day Assemblies, and numerous other events. Without support
fi:om their organization, our prgject would not have been completed in such a timely
fashion.
In today's economi~ environment, schools and other organizations need to use every
available resource to make improvements because of persistent state and federal
cutbacks. We feel that an expanded facility in Dubuque would continue to benefit those
groups and organizations. Undoubtedly, they wilI continue to be equally as generous
~vith the anticipated increase in revenue fi:om such an expansion.
I wholeheartedly support their expansion project and would urge you to please give them
your most sincere consideration on their proposed expansion. IfI can give you any
further information or details please feel free to call me at 563-488-2292.
Sincerely, ,._.,. /
Michelle I-lansen
Midland Improvement Committee Co-President
Midland Athletic Booster President
(319) 673-5791
CITY OF MONMOUTH
P.O. Box 68
Monmouth,Iowa 52309
MAYOR
~odger Schnoor
CITY kTTOP~NEY
Steve Kahler
CITY CLERK/
TREASURER
Connie Stutting
WATER
SUPERINTENDENT
Rob Rohwedder
COLVNCIL M~MBERS
Leon Kyarsgaard
Georgia Leaver
Kathy Yarolem
December 08,2003
Iowa Racing and Ga~ing Commission
7t7 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Sir:
The City of Monmouth would like to extend our support
to the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino in their effort
to expand their facility.
Monmouth received a $1,696.80 grant from the Dubuque
Racing Association to purchase Weather Radios for the
citizens of Monmouth,in order to alert them of severe
weather conditions, chemicals spills, or other hazardous
conditions.
Monmouth is a LMI Community and would not have been able to
purchase the radios without aid from the DRA. We also have
a high percentage of elderly, who are comforted by the fact
that, should a weather emergency arise, they will receive
sufficient warning to prepare for it.
The Citizens of Monmouth are very grateful to the Dubuque
Racing Association for the aid that they provide to
conununities like ours. With an expanded facility, I'm sure
that their good work will be a~le to reach even more
communities that otherwise would not be able to afford
these things that add greatly to their quality of life.
Thank You,
Connie Stutting
City Clerk
AScenic Valley_ Area_a VIII
,^gency on ^glng
3505 Stoneman Road, Dubuque Iowa 52002-5218
Linda McDonald, Director
Phone 563/588-3970
FAX 563/588-1952
e-mail mail @ scenicvalley.org
December 10, 2003
Shannon Garrity
Dubuque Racing Association
P.O. Box 3190
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-3190
Dear Ms. Garrity:
According to a story in the Tete,qraph Herald, the Dubuque Racing Association
(DRA) wrote letters to local organizations asking for a description of the benefits
received from being a recipient of a DRA grant. Through some oversight, our
organization did not receive this letter. However, I do not want to miss an
opportunity to again express our gratitude for the assistance we have received
from the DRA. Your funds have helped us to purchase the equipment we need
to provide between 15,000 - 16,000 nutritious meals each month to senior
citizens who live in the Dubuqueland area. Many of these individuals are
homebound. The food will often be the only well balanced meal these older
people will eat and our volunteers who deliver it will most likely be the only
human contact they will have that day. Words just can't adequately convey the
good your organization does and what it means to us and to the older persons
we serve.
Sincerely,
Linda McDonald
Director
LM:hs
(f.a t ille
300 W. Amelia, CassvilIe, W{sconsin 53806
Since 159I
December 15, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners,
The Cassville Volunteer Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to offer our
support for the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Due to the
generosity of the Dubuque Racing Association, the department has been able to purchase
vital equipment that helps us save lives and property within our community. Over the
past 3 years, the department has been able to purchase a water tanker truck, a thermal
imaging camera, two-way radios, portable generators and lighting equipment with funds
received from the Dubuque Racing Association Grant Program. Without the support of
the Dubuque Racing Association and the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino many of
these items could not have been purchased at ali.
The funds generated and distributed by the Dubuque Racing Association help many
people each year and are not limited to the City of Dubuque or the State of Iowa. Many
people within our community visit the Dubuqne Greyhound Park and Casino, and it is
great that the revenue generated there can be returned to our community. The members
of the Cassville Fire Department are extremely grateful for the contributions made over
the years, and support the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
Sincerely,
Ron Hampton
Secretary
608.725.5588
December 7tn, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
lV!y name is Kevin McDermott, and I am the vocal director at Drexler Middle School in
Farley, IA. Over the last several years, the Dubuque Racing Association has been a vital
factor in assisting with the needs of our programs here in the Western Dubuque
Community School District. As I'm s~re you are aware, recent cuts in education have
made it very difficult to maintain existing programs, and there are more budget cuts
expected yet this year that will make it even more difficult to provide om: s?dents with
quality music programs in our schools. With the help of the Dubuque Racing
Association we have been able to not only provide our students with their basic needs, we
have also had the opportunity to purchase costly items such as acoustic shells, and other
new instnmnents our district would never be able to purchase. This shows our students
that the public values the arts, and proves its importance in our commrmities. It gives
students a sense of pride that I am proud to say that I have been a part of over the last
seven years. An expanded facility would only farther the benefits for our communities
for future endeavors. Thank yon, Dubuque Racing Association, for ali that you have
assisted us in the past, and I hope that you cfm assist us again in the near future. Our
students deserve it.
Sincerely,
Kevin McDermott
Vocal Director
Drexler Middle School
Cassville Public Schools
7'[5 ~.AmeJia Street
eassville Wisconsin 53806-9685
High School (808)725-5'[18
Elementc~r'y (608)725-5307
Fax (608)725-2353
Dot=ncc Hefte Superintendent
dhefte@cassvillesd, k12.wi .us
Lind= b=yer, Principal
t layer~ c=ssvil[esd, k 12. wi. us
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Coo~, Suite B
Des Moines, L4~ 50309
Dear Core, missioners:
Cassville School District is a small Wisconsin district that is about 30 miles from
Dubuque, Iowa. We have received two gants f~om the Dubuque Racing Association.
One in 2001 for $1,431 for a small project. The other, in 2002 for $3,600. allowed us to
purchase a computer program that helps our 3~m through 6m ~ade students learn
mathematics. That ~ant also purchased library packs that students take home that
encourage family reading activities.
Both grmnts ~vere used to purchase materials that we would not have purchased without
an outside source of lands.
We hope to receive additional grant landing in the future as our regular funding sources
are not increasing and are not adequate to continue to provide the quality of education
that Midwest states have been providing for so many years.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS GREYHOUND ADOPTION
2208 Sierra Drive
Pekin, IL 61554
Tel. (309) 346-0570
chelsea~mtco.com
Sharon Palm, President
Iris Decker, Vice President
Kacie Dippold, Secretary
Cheri Rybolt, Treasurer
Decgmber 3, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Cou~ Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners;
Central Illinois Greyhound Adoption (CIGA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that operates
as a service group to help greyhounds f'md new homes. We work to move greyhounds from the
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino, into other greyhound adoption groups, and ultimately into
permanent homes. During the 2003 season we successfully helped to move 100 dogs. In 2002 we
undertook the task of paying veterinary bills for greyhounds that were injured or broke their legs
while racing or training. Last season, we paid to repair 14 dogs.
We would be unable to either move dogs or to pay for veterinary bills without the help of the
Dubuque Racing Association. The DRA has generously given us grant money for the past two
years. In 2003 we received a $10,000 grant which was used to pay veterinary fees. The Dubuque
greyhound owners have also given generously ofthek time and money. Without owners like
· · from Dubuque to Erie, PA, we would
Jimmy Black who used his own hauler to mace move dogs
not exist. Jknmy paid all the expenses for the two hauls, and we could not have done it without
him. David Ungs and Ed and Lmm Trow, among others, have given us both financial and moral
support. We have also received a very special g~ from Brett Entas, a trainer at the Dubuque
track. Brett, a talented artist, gave us permission to use his greyhound drawings as our
-' -~ ~ ' ,~-~ous *ems to sell as a fimdralser.
We support the request for an expanded Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. The expansion
would resuk in increased revenue and more grant money to non-profit organizations like ours.
We also feel strongly that k would benefit the greyhound owners who have selflessly enabled us
to help the greyhoundS. Without them we could not have helped injured dogs recover, or have
found homes for 75 dogs in 200I, 112 dogs in 2002, and 114 dogs iz 2003.
Sincerely,
~'~ ~?
Sharon Palm
President
CIGA
Iris Decker
Vice President
CIGA
TEL,
POTOS{. WISCONS{N 53820
Mary Schneider
City of Holy Cross
938 Church St. Box 326
Holy Cross, Iowa 52053
Phone/Fax (563) 870-2475
holycross @yousq.net
December 3, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, la 50309
Dear Commissions,
We wholeheartedly support the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's desire to
expand their facility including permission to increase the number of slot machines at
the track. A larger facility would result in increased revenue which correlates to
increased distributions to our community through their Grant Award Program.
In the past, they have funded new playground equipment for our local park which
allowed us to replace outdated and unsafe equipment. The safety of our children is
very important to us. Without this grant, this project would have not been possible.
We askyou to support their expansion request so they may continue to support
many worthwhile projects for the residents of the State of Iowa. Their help to the
small communities in the area has been very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Brian Maiers, Mayor
City of Holy Cross
Saint Clement School
330 West Maple Street
Lancaster, WI 53813
6081723-7474
Msgr. Daniel T. Ganshert, Pastor
Ronald Coppernoll, Principal
December 03, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission:
I am writing in support of the Dubuque Racing Associations (DRA) desire to expand
their facilities. The DRA has been a great asset for our area in several ways. They
have directly benefited Saint Clement School through their charitable grant
program. Most recently, they funded a project that completely replaced the chairs
in our classrooms and repainted the desks. Our chairs and desks came into the
school in 1954. This has made such an improvement to the learning environment of
our classrooms for our students. They did not just throw money at a problem.
Shannon Gaherty, from the DRA, came to our school and talked with our students
and teachers and saw first hand the difference that their dollars had made. There
was a powerful message that they cared about our school and students.
The DRA brings people, resources and dollars to our area. They benefit the
economy of more than just Dubuque, Iowa. Even if Saint Clement School did not
receive another grant dollar from the DRA, I would support their expansion for the
economic impact to the tri-state area.
The third reason that I support the expansion of the DRA is that they provide an
entertainment venue to people from our area. People in our area of the trbstates
have to drive quite some distance for many things. People from our area are known
for their work ethic. The opportunity, to play and find release from the rigors of life
is important. The DRA offers one such opportunity. Allowing them the
opportunity to expand and upgrade their facility will be positive to the citizens of
our area. Therefore, I request your support of the DRA in their proposed
expansion.
Sincerely, /~
Ronald Coppernoll
CITY OF ASBURY
5080 Asbury Road
Asbury, IA 52002-2522
December5,2003
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
City Hall 563/556-7106
Public Works 563/556-6410
Fax 563/556-2001
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the City of Asbury, I wish to advise that the City supports a remodeled and upgraded Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casirto. A larger facility would result in increased revenue that correlates to increased
distributions through their Crramt Award Program.
The City has received monies to: 1) Purchase play equipment for Asbm:y park. Many people from om:
city, Dubuque amd the surrounding area use this park. 2) Provide equipment for our police department. 3)
Fundiag to pay for some of the entertainment atthe annual "Music Inthe Park".
Without these funds, we could not have purchased the play equipment needed for our park; the police
deparmxent pm:chased computer equipment for the police car that saves the officers time; nor the
entertainment for the annual Musm m me var .
These funds provided items that were cut from our city budget due to State funding cuts, etc.
Taank you.
SLncerely, i~,~ ~/~ ~.~,~-~
Charles S. Uskavitch, Ir.
Mayor
Merlin
P.O. Box 66 Ph. (563) 875-8356
Dyersville, Iowa 52040 Fax (5_63) 875-9526
Clemen- Chief
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA $0309
Dear Commissioners,
As Chief of the Dyersville Fire Department I am writing this letter to show support for an
expansion to the facility- of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. In the past the
Dnhuq~e Racing Association, t~ough their Grant Awards Program, have been
instrumental in our department acquiring much needed equipment.
Equipment such as turnout gear, breathing air compressor, nozzles, and extrication tools
have improved the safety of the firefighters, reduced property loss, and expedited the time
a trauma victim ls transported from an accident to a medicat facility.
An expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino would enhance the economic
impact and benefits that the Dubuque Racing Association has proven through past
history, can provide to our community and the residents of Iowa.
Please support the Dubuque Racing Association in this expangion.
Sincerely,
Merlin Clemen
Ch/ef, Dyersvllle Fire Department
AMERICAN LEGION POST 528
CASCASDE, IOWA 52033
t0WA RACEING AND GAMBLEING CONMISSION:
DEAR SIRS:
We, the AMERICAN LEGION POST 528 of Cascade, with 342
members received two gr~nts from the Dubuqe DRA.
with one of thses grants we were able to build a couple of
badly needed rest rooms for our 13 acre park. The park is used
by all organization and chuches in twon, plus the ball diamond
is used by the Cascade ~i school and the cascade Reds town team.
with the second grant we were able to replace a badly worn oak
flooring in our 80 x 110 Legion Pavilion. This building is one of
the reason that Cascade is the biggest, litties town in Iowa.
The county of Dubuque has been greatly inriched by the DRA
of Dubuque. It,S been God sent to our community-
For God and Country-
American Legion Post 528
Ade Kurt,Adjutant-
Cascade, Iowa 52033
· Dubuque/JoDaviess County
Dubuque Law Enforcement Center
8th & Central, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
319/589-4406
TO:
The Io~ Racing and Gaming Commission Me,hers
DATE: December 9, 2003
Dear Boar~ Members:
We are writing to ask you to approve the expansion of the
Dubuque Racing Association, by allowing them to increase the number
of slot machines at their facilities.
We feel that the Dubuque Racing Association and The Dubuque
Greyhound Park and casino are very important to our community in many
ways. Among the w~ys, they provide jobs to people of our co~ammity,
they are very much involved in community projects, giving Grants to
very important organizations- Our organization has been one of those
such organizations who have been helped through their Grants.
Our organization works with the Law Enforcement Agencies in
Dubuque County, Io~ra and Jo Da9iess County in Illinois- We could
not provide the services that we provide without the help that we
receive from these Grants, as we counti~'on Grants and Donations to
continue our programs.
Again, we would ask that you approve the expansion of the
Dubuque Greyhound Park and casino.
Sincerely,
patrick T. Hickson,
President
Ronald L. Koppes
Recording Secretary
· ",,"-.,~ =,, ,.,~l~h~n .~1 .q-588-0174 or Toll~Free 1-800-747-0117
December 19, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing on behalf of tlxe Friends of the Bellevue Library to express my support for
the proposed expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Tile grants the
library have received through the Dubuque Racing Association have meant the diffcrcncc
between a good library and a gmat library!
Their support has made thc installation o.Ca fiber optics network possible as well as
shelving and an untold number of books and other library materials that we would ,lot
l~avc bccn able to afford oil our own. I cannot speak highly enough of their generosity to
the town of Bellevue. Our fire and ambulance departments and the schools here in
Betlevu~ have ulso be~n th~ recipient t~f many DRA grants over thc years.
Please consider the plight many communities are in, particularly ,Mth the "Reinvention
Bill" and approve expansion for the Dubuque Greyhound Park aud Casino. Thank you
for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Marian L. Meyer
I,ibrary Director
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear commissioners:
The Public Library in Colesburg Iowa supports the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
in their decision to expand and upgrade the casino. A larger facility would result in
increased revenue, which correlates to increased distribution through their Grant
Award Program. The Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino has supported several
projects here at the Colesburg Public Library, With the budget cuts we are relying on
grants and donations to help us to meet our patron needs.
Sincerely,
'Pam Dettbarn, Director
Colesburg Public Library
PO Box 159
Colesburg, Towa 52035
Galena Unit School District 190
1206 N. Franklin St.
Galena, Illinois 61036-1399
Phone 815-777-8086
Ofilce of the Superintendent Fax 815-777-0303
December ~, 2000
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
My name is Rich Rehfeldt. I am employed with the Galena Unit School District #120 in
Galena, Illinois. We are a small rural community located in Northwest Illinois.
It is my pleasure to commend the Dubuque Racing Association on making funds
available to the community it serves through grant opportuuides that they offer.
Thesg grant oppommities are very much needed by school districts such as o~trs, as welI
as community service providers: Money is fight; the opportunity to obtain grant funding
is a welcome li~tt in a so .mewhat dark tunnel of funding.
We have had the privilege of obtaining grant funding from the Dubuque Racing
Association, and these funds purchased needed equipment to help in offering our student
body the resources to be more job ready.
I feel the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino would offer more
revenue, which in mm would make more funds aval!abl~e for grant o.?.po .,r!uuities bec~ause
of their non-profit status and their genuine concern Ior Me commtmanes mey serve, x
fully support such an expansxon.
Sincerely,
Rich Rehfeldt
District Technology Coordinator
Galena Unit School District #120
1206 North Franklin Street
Galena, IL 61036
Sacred Heart School
601 1st Ave. S.W.
Oelwein, Ia. 50662
Phone- 319-283-1366
December 2, 2003
To Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission,
The Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino wants to expand their facility. The
economic impact of a remodeled and upgraded casino will have an impact in the
corrmTunity. There will be more people participating in gambling for dollars for
grants for many organizations. Just for ap. example our little school got a grant last
year to set up a center in our computer lab for developing video and pictures to put
together an education project for the students in fifth grade. What a great center for
children .to use for their curriculum projects in the different areas of the curriculum.
The other grades are working on projects that will be able to put together and
viewed for other grades to learn and observe.
I would want the Racing Association to bring in more revenue, Which correlates to
increased distributions through the Grant Award Program. This means more
money should be available to non-profit organiztions like Sacred Heart School in the
future.
Thank you for thinking about the commun/ty and the children who will be our
future workers in the area and all the other areas who need help like the volunteer
fire departments, the organization working for the poor and needy..
Sincerely,
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Dubuque Council ~ 510
781 Locust St. · Dubuque, ]OwQ 52001
Phone (563) 588-2011
Chartered April 29, 1~00 · Iowa's First Council
/~ ,
family services
A ministry of the Iowa Corference of the United Methodist Church and tile Synod of lzaJres and prairies, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Accredked by d~e Jo nt Commission on Accre~iitati~n of Heakhcare Org;mizations
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and G~rning Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
Iiillcrest Family Services is extremely grateful for the grants awarded to us by the Dubuque
Racing Association from the revenues received from the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
Hillcrest, a 20I(c)(3) not-for-profit human services agency, provides programs and services to
more than 12,000 Iowans each year. Grants received from the Dubuque Racing Association have
assisted our agency in a number of areas over the years, including the following during the past
three years:
· Funded $20,000 toward kitchen equipment for our central kitchen renovation.
· Provided $5,775 for use in a mediaTadvertising campaign aimed at increasing the
number of mentors in our Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dubuque Couaty progrmm.
· Provided $13,000 for exterior remodeling and improvements to a residential
facility for adults with serious mental illness.
· Provided $4,490 for the purchase of a Laptop and computer projector unit for
informational and recruitment presentations about Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Dubuque County.
· Prowded $14,0 6 to b used for interior improvements to a residential care
facility for entire famlies, and interior improvements to a residential facility
for adults with serious mental illness.
Grants from the Dubuque Racing Association have played an important role in helping l-Iilcrest
Family Services improve the quality of life for the people we serve.
Sincerely,
Dir'~ctor of Development
AD Mn'SISTRATIO N
2005 AsbuW Road
P.O. Box 1160
Dubuque, IA 52004-1160
563/583-7557
Toll Free: 877/437-6335
Fax: 563/585-7026
www.hi~crest-fs.org
I~E G1ON_4~L OFFICES
4080 Ist Avenue N.li.
State 102A
Cedar' Rapids, LA 52402-3160
319/362-3149
Toil Free: 877/457 6535
Fax: 319/36ll-8923
449 Highway I West
Iowa City, iA 52246-4205
319/337-4204
Toll Free: 877/437-6533
Fax: 519/337-782I
HANOVER COiwIMUNIVT A31BULANCE SERVICE
5 FO~'F STREET
HANOVER, IL. 61041
December 5, _00~
Iowa Racing & Gaming Association
717 East Court Suite B
Des Moines, IA. 50309
Dear Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission,
The Hanover Community Ambulance Service has been a recipient of the Dubuque Racing
Association Grant Program; in which we were able to purchase a new portable suction unit and
disposable containers which are Latex free.
Our ambulance district is primarily elderly citizens who live on fixed incomes, so we feel it is a
privilege to be allowed to request funding for equipment purchases; which we probably never
would have been able to get otherwise. We do not receive and property taxes our income is
based on call payments and per population contracts with the townships.
The Hanover Commtmity Ambulance supports the expansion of the Dubuque Racing
Association and their goal of expanding thek current facility. The employment of more people
and will benefit us locally and throughout the county; by the people traveling through on their
way to the dog track or casino.
Their coramitment for allowing emergency services to apply in an effort to obtain equipment to
better protect their districts, persomnel, and save liveS.
Respectfully yours,
Shawn R. Buck, EMT intermediate
Hanover Community Ambulance Service
5t . F ancis Xaoie 5choo[
203 Second Street SW
Dyersvil]e, IA 52040-1650
Phone: (563) 875-7376
Fax: (563) 875-7037
December 4, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The St. Francis Xavier School community in Dyersville, Iowa is proud to support the
expansion efforts Of the Dubuque Racing Association and encourages your positive
response to the Dubuque Racing Association's expansion request.
We consider the Dubuque Racing Association to be a generous neighbor and friend to our
school communty, and are appreciative of the funding they have provided us over the
years to help us improve curriculum, our library / media center, technology, and energy
efficiency. In fact, we consider the Dubuque Racing Associat'on s benevolence to be the
primary reason why we are a school able to offer our students and parents access to
leading edge technology.
We at St. Francis Xavier look forward to many years of continued partnership with the
Dubuque Racing Association.
Sincerely .... ./¢
Ralph G. Pauly, Princ'p
Untitled
Iowa Racing & Gaming Co,mission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Meines, la 50309
Dear Commissioners:
It is my pleasure, as a board member of the Friends of
Carnegie Stout Public Library, to thank you and the Dubuque
Racing Association for your assistance with funds when
requested for our library.
During the 2003 many special programs were provided for
the children, young adults and adults by our library. Such
Mus_c ~nchantmen~ , "Summer
programs as "Books to Go", " i ~ ="
Reading Program", "Harry Potter Party", "Teen's Annual
_ T ' ' ' n "
Bookmark Contest", ,,Christmas Tree ~lgh~i_ g and the
purchase of a new Self-Check machine.
Each year o~r funds are raised by our membership dues,
book sal~s and assistance from the Dubuque Racing Asso-
ciation when requested and approved. Since the present
economy is low, we are hoping for more assistance for
future years to have our library continue the excellent
programs. Your approval of permitting Dubuque Racing
Association to expand their facilities would be helpful.
Very truly yours.
..-n:/:/ //. s//f
George M. Haruyama
Treasurer of CSPL
GALENA POLICE DEPARTMENT
312 N. Main Street
Galena, IL 61036-2332
Chief of Police
Gerald L. Westerneier
Thursday December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(815) 777-2131
FAX (815) 777-~736
Dear Commissioners: -
This letter is in reference to the overwhelming appreciaban the Galena Police
Deparnnent and the City of Galena has in regards to the Dubuque Racing Association.
The DRA has assisted by providing employment for some of our citizens. Galena is the
second largest tourist area in the State of Illinois, and a lot of our guests come to Iowa
particularly to the casinos and the Greyhound track to spend their time mad have fun.
The Dubuque Racing Association like wise has assisted the police department in
· ' need of
many facets· 12001, the DRA assisted the Galena Pohce Department vath the
four new police radios for inside the squad cars and a defibrillator. The radios that
needed to be replaced were approximately twelve to fifteen years old and had a lot of
problems. Calls for service were being missed because the radios were faulty; imagine
calling the police for help and the dispatchers can send someone to help because the
police officers s~mply couldn't hear the radio transmissions- We were able to obtain a
portable defibrillator for inside the squad cars, every squad car had a defibrillator except
one'. The Galerm Pohce Department ~s proud to have the motto To Serve and Protect ,
the police department is more often than not, the first responders to many medical
emergencies. The officers have been crossed ~rained and have had special training in
regards to the defibrillator. Thanks to DRA's assistance they may have actually saved
someone's life. This I am sure everyone can appreciate·
In 2002, DRA assisted us yet again with the need of an "in-Car Video Camera."
The Galena Police Department is proud to say that the use of the video camera has helped
us in providing our citizens and guests with comfort and protection they deserve. I
cannot express enough how important it is to have the Dubuque Racing Association
working together with us. The Galena Police Department supports ali efforts in assisting
the needs of the association and to the support of expansion. I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank the Dubuque Racing Association for all their help and assistance.
Officer Scott Harmon
And Chief Jerry Westemeier
Oeo 08 03 03:~?p 815-5~1-2381 p.2
HenOVer Ambulence, Inc.
PiO. Box 113
Hanover, IL 61041
815-591-2361
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des AAoines, TA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
Would like :to take this opportunity to express our
continuing gratitude to the bRA for the generous
donations that have been given to The Hanover
Ambulance. Without the monies received we would
not have been able to acquire a Resci-Anne and Baby,
portable suction and hand-held suctions, Air-Way
AAannequin, and portable radios with walkie-talkie
capabilities.
Since we are an entirely volunteer organization and
not tax based, the only income we have is from our
ambulance calls and the generous donations of the
community and surrounding area to keep operating.
By receiving the DI~A's donations, we have been able
to purchase all the small items necessary to keep
the ambulance in service, and therefore not having
to "borrow from Peter to Pay Paul" so to speak.
Tf you need ony further assistance from us, pleose
contoct the ombulonce. Agoin, thank you agoin for
the continuing support to The Honovcr Ambulance.
TROY MILLER
Coordinator
ELIZABETH COMMlJNT[TY AMBULANCE SERViCE
MYRTLE STREET
ELIZ.48ET[4, IL. 61028
815-,~58-2404
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing & Gaming Association
717 East Court Suite B
Des Moines, IA. 50309
Dear Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission,
The Elizabeth Community Ambulance Service benefited from the Dubuque Racing
Association's Grant in Funding program.-
We were able to purchase a special medical unit named the Broslow Bag. It has a color coded
strip to measure the height ora pedialMc patient. When you get that height you grab the color
matching bag which contains the medicines, airways, and other equipment needed for a child of
that size. This is based on the American Heart Association Pediatric Life Support protocols.
Our ambulance district is primarily elderly citizens who live on fixed incomes, so we feel it is a
privilege to be allowed to request funding for equipment purchases. We do not receive and
property taxes our income is based on call payments and per population contracts with the
townships.
The Elizabeth Community Ambulance supports the expansion of the Dubuque Racing
Association and thek goal of expanding their current facility. The employment of more people
and will benefit us locally and throughout county as tourism is our major source of employment.
The people traveling through our county may stop for food, fuel or overnight stay.
The Elizabeth Community Ambulance applauds the Dubuque Racing Association for their
commitment to allow their grant in aid program in helping educational, emergency and other
agencies promote and provide better services and 9are to those we may or may not know.
Respectfully yours,
Shawn R. Buck, EMT Intermediate
Elizabeth Community Ambulance Serv'ice
City of Darlington Police Department
"In Step with a Progressive Community"
Serving Since
1865
62 7 3~lain Street
Darlin~on, }VI 53530
(608) 776-4980
December 3, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear CommissionerS:
On Monday, December 1, 2003, I learned about the Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino's desire to expand their facility to include an increase in the number of slot
machines. I am writing this letter to you to express support for an expanded facility.
The City of Darlin~on Police Department is a ~aon-profit, small organization located in
southwest Wisconsin about 45 minutes away from Dubuque. Due to limited financial
resources, we rely greatly upon the generosity of organizations like the Dubuque Raciug
Associatiou for financial support of our safety endeavorS.
In recent yearS, the Dubuque Racing Association benefited Darhngton area residents.
Specifically, the DRA provided funding for computer and projector technology so th~
Police-School Liaison Officer could develop and present drug and alcohol abase prevention
programs in our schools. Most recently, the DRA funded au early-access defibrillation
program for Dartiugton, thus placing life-saving defibrillatorS i.n all Darlin~on Police Cars
and giving area residents a chance to survive cardiac emergencies.
Without doubt, our organization values the impact the DRA has had on our community. As
such, it is without hesitation I write to you today and express support for their expansion
endeavor.
Sincerely,
~/Sgt. Jason Ki ~ .
Community & School Relations Officer
Darlin~on Police Department
DAC, Inc.
1710 E. Maple Street
Maquoketa, IA 52060
563-652-5252 (main)
563-652-4872 (fax)
Mission Statement: Every individual has value and dignity. DAC, Inc.
exists to enhance the dignity, self-esteem and worth of each individual and
his or her right to self-determination as a member ef the community.
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter on behalf of OAC, Inc., in support of the Dubuque Greyhound
Park & Casino's desire to expand their facility. DAC, Inc. believes this expansion
would have a positive economic impact on the tri-state area.
DAC, inc. is a not-for profit organization that provides support services to people with
disabilities from various counties, including Dubuque and Jackson Counties. DAC,
Inc. has been fortunate to be the beneficiary of several substantial grants over the
last several years provided by the Dubuque Racing Association. These grants have
allowed us to purchase new computers, replace a faulty heating/cooling system, and
to make numerous improvements to our facilities. We would not have been able to
make these needed improvements without the grants provided by the DRA.
We believe that a bigger Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino would mean increased
revenue, which correlates to increased distributions through the Grant Award
Program. This would not only have a positive impact on us, but other similar'
organizations in the tri-state area who rely on this kind of donation to pay for
improvements that are not adequately funded through other means.
Todd Seifert, M.S.
Executive Director
WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Our Mixsiorr To develop each student's learning potential in a caring environment.
51 N. Grandview, Dubuque, Iowa 52001-6390
Wayne Wilgenbusch
Asst. F~ncipal
(563) 588-8380
Del Simpson
Needs Facilitator
(553) 588-8382
(563) 588 8384
Jo Grabow
GMdcnce Counselor
(563) 538-8384
Mik~Coasrove
Guidance Counselor
(563) 588-8384
December 8, 2002
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino
Dubuque Racing Association
Ms. Shannon Gaherty, Community Relations Director
P.O. Box 2190
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-2190
Dear Dubuque Racing Association:
£ am writing this letter to "Thank" the Dubuque Racing
Association for their generous support and for the grants that
Washington Junior Ixrigh School and the Washington PTA have
received. With the help of grants and your support you continue to
help enhance the educational opportunities for Washington Junior
High School Students and Faculty.
Some of the enhancements you have helped to support are:
LCD Projectors, TV Broadcast System,
Digital Media Center, Multi-Media Projectors,
Stage Rigging System for the Washington Auditorium
Stage, Security Camera/Closed Circuit T~T Monitoring
System, New Seating in the Washington Auditorium.
On behalf of the Washington students, faculty, and PTA, I
want to sincerely "Thank You~ for your conffnued generosity. Please
know that your support is greatly appreciated and helps benefit
Washington dunior I-iigh School.
z kG DL/rs
Principal
CITY OF HOPK1NTON
115 FIRST STREET S.E.
P.O. BOX 154
tIOPKIffITON, IA 52237-0154-
pI-IONE 563~926-2181
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des i'4oines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Hopkinton Volunteer Fire Department has benefited greatly from the
Dubuque Racing Assoc. Grant Award Program for several years. Without
their help our volunteer service would not be able to have the up4o-date fire
equipment, clothing, and radios that they have awarded our department
money for. Our service covers a city of 681 people with also the
surrounding rural community. We also offer mutual aid for surrounding
cities when in need of assistance.
We wish to acknowledge our support for an expanded Dubuque Racing
Assoc. facility. A bigger Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino would mean an
increase in revenue, which would then correlate to increase distributions
through their Grant Award Program. Therefore, more money should be
available to nomprofit organizations like ours.
Please approve the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino request to expand
their facility that will help benefit cities like ours.
Sincerely yours,
Diane Nordmann, City Clerk
Hopkinton Volunteer Fire Dept.
1201 Locust Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4709
Phone & Fax ,63->82-6Z1
Email Lmmccdbq~,¥ahoo.com
Web Site: smccdbq.org
December 4, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
St. Mark's is climaxing our 15tt~ Anniversary year of serving at-risk children and Iow-i~come families in the
downtown area. Yearly we serve 18,000-19,000 peopte of all ages, races and creeds. Since we are a 501 C 3
organization we rely on the general public to help us support the programs that we offer free to our families.
Many of our family members are uneducated, jobless and have just moved to Dubuque with their kids fi:om other
towns.
We rely greatly on donations from the Dubuque Racing Association to help us help others! In the past we
have gotten computers, office equipment, supplies and materials that we use in our 40+ programs for these
people. The Dubuque Racing Association's grants have enabled us to offer pro,ams and activities for our
families raging fi:om computer classes, agrer-school mentoring sessions, programs in art, music and drama,
summer program, Parenting classes, family workshops, Family Ni~ats and programs for our teens.
We feel strongly that we and other service agencies in town would benefit more_ if the Dubuque Racing
Association would be allowed to remodei, expand and upgrade their facility. To them it would mean more people
playing the slots and for us, increased revenue for our non-profits in Dubuque.
Year after year I am amazed at the list of schools and non-profits our Racing Association is able to help
through their contr/butions. The Dubuque Racing Association has established and made themselves a welcome
fiq_end of the non-profits and to them we are grate~l for their support.
Please support their efforts and grant them permission to expand and upgrade so they can continue to help us
lxelp others!
Sincerely,
Sister Inez, osf
Director - Sr. Inez Turnmeyer, OSF
Trustees: Barbara Blinks · Tim Conlon · Marten Hickey Davis · Raydora Drummer
St. Mary's School
132 W. E~utler Manchest,~r, IA. 52057 Phor~e: 583-927-3889
~ E-mail: dbqe37@arch.pvt, k12.ia.us Fax: 563-927-1437
Website: manchest~ramaciustar.org
-St. I~ary's Catholic $che~l - A Faith Filled Future-
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am a fifth year principal at St. Mary's School in Manchester, Iowa. I became aware of the
Dubuque Racing A~sociation grant program for non profit agencies during my first year. Since
that time we have been able to create and outfit a state of the art computer center; upgrade our
fn:e alarm system; install a communication system and will be installing handicap accessible doors
in about a month.
St. Mary's is in a rural conununity and our parents pay tuition for our students to attend school,
in addition to supporting the public school system. If it had not been for the Dubuque Racing
grant program, our students would not have the opportunities to use computers and our families
would need to come up with more money to meet safety needs.
We would be very supportive of e~xpansion of the programs at the Dubuque Park. My family and
I have attended many tc;x~,st attractions in Dubuque, including the casino. We have always had a
good time and we know that part of what we spend goes to benefit organizations such as St.
Mary's.
Thank you for yo~ consideration of this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Beams, Principal
Shannon Gaherty
Community Relations Director
Dubuque Racing Association
800.3?3.364?
563.582.3647
December 10, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the V.F.W. Post I304, I want to extend our sincere thanks and
appreciation for your most generous gif~ of $2,000.00.
As per our request from the Racing Association of Dubuque Racing Group, we
were able to purchase color guard and rifle squad uniforms. These uniforms
~have been ,,veil received by the public who have had a chance to see them in
parades, burials and patriotic functions.
We at the V.F.W. Post 1304 are very proud to wear our new ~miforrns (see
attachment).
Thanks to ali personnel involved in our success in purchasing this most
striking way of showing our men and women in the military how proud we are
of them and those who have gone before us.
Sincerely yours,
Donald A. Bradley
Quartermaster
V.F.W. Post 1304
Stockton, IL 61085
Sabula Police Department
_~ervice ~_Pride ~_Dedication
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
I would like to take this time to tell you that on behalf of the Sabula Police Department
and the Cky of SabuIa, we are supporting the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's
expansion plans. I truly believe that if your agency grants the Casino permission to
expand, our city as well as the tri-state area would benefit.
Wkh the expansion, the Casino would be able to put out more slot machines, wkich
means increased revenues for the Casino. This would then allow the Dubuque
Greyhound Park and Casino to allo~v more distributions through the Grant Award
Program to applicants like our department.
In the past few years, our department has been able to purchase items that we wouldn't
normally have been able to purchase with our current budget. Thanks to the Grant Award
Program, we have been able to update our computer systen% purchase a digital camera,
stop spike system, and recently acquire an AED (automated external defillibrator).
This was all made possible by the Grant Award Program. I can't tell you how important
the Grant Award Program is and how we look forward to it each year. I would again
urge your agency to approve the Dubuque Greyhodnd Park and Casino's expansion
plans. As you can see, it has benefited our small city, and I'm quite sure the whole tri-
state area.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Chad Gruver
Chief Of Po lice
504 lurer Street ~ P.O. Box 285 ~ Sabula, IA 52070
Non-Emergency 563-687-2252 ~ Fax $63-657-3019
Ernail sabulapolicedelJt~lycos, corn
3RD ASSISTANT
CHIEF Dave Langkamp
Bob Leighty ~.~
1 ST ASSISTANT
Dave Wetter '
2ND ASSISTANT
Paul Budden
SECRETARY &
TREASURER
Dave Schmoekel
Platteville Volunteer Fire Department
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suke B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Iow~ Racing and Gaming Commission;
We would like to take a few minutes of your time to show support for the expansion of Dubuque
Greyhound Park and Casino, Dubuque Iowa.
Platteville Fire Department has benefited greatly for the past three years from awards made to our
department by the Dubuque CJreyhotmd Park and Casino. Without the awards by the DRA our
department would not have been able to upo=rade our communication and training that helps to make
our city, rural and highways safer as a result of the awards.
We do support the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. We believe i.n the future
there may be more financial support for our department and surrounding departments to ~mprove
· our quality of service we provide.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact;
Robe¢ J. Leighty
Chief Platteville Fire Department
608-348-7826 (after 4:00 pm)
Sincerely;
Robert J:'. Leighty
Chief Piatteville Fire Department
SchoolD Mct of Potos
128 Hwy. 61 N.
Athletic Director
(608) 763-2161
(608) 763-2162
K-12 principal
(608) 763-216[
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Sui,e g
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am very much in support of an expanded facility for the Dubuque
Greyhound Park and Casino. The Dubuque Racing Association has helped
numerous programs here at Potosi Schools over the past several years,
throOgh ifs grant program.
Last year t applied for one such grant and was awarded nearly $5000
from this association. With the money, I purchased two computers, a digital
keyboard, and software for the music program. I have much more
flexibility with lesson time to help students with theory and composition,
arranging, or students can use the appropriate software to simply practice
or have an accompaniment played for them.
I hope you will consider the benefits that small districts such as Potosi
derive from grants such as this one from the Dubuque Racing Association
when you are making your decision. An expanded facility will mean more
revenues and also more help for organizations that are in need.
5~rely,
Lori A. Busch
Band Director
Potosi H5
Junior Achievement of Tri-States, inc.
2255 JFK Road, Lower Level Asbury Square
Dubuque, IA 52004-0624
(563) 556-3933
(563) 556-3934 FAX
jaorg@dubuque,net E-MAIL
dubuque.ja.org WEBSITE
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Cour~ Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
Junior Achievement of Tri-Sr~tes, Inc. is grateful for the support it receives from its community.
Without the investment from organizations like the Dubuque Racing Association, we could not provide
quali~ pro§rams to our area young people, teaching them about business, economics and how co be
successful in their lives.
Over the past several years, the DRA has reinvested millions of dollars to help fund projeCcs in the Tri-
State area. Throu§h these contributions, our organization has been able to start new programs, provide
and maintain woodworking tools for our high school program, purchase needed technolo~'~/equipment,
and upgrade our f~ciJities to be~er serve our students and train our volunteers. These proiects would
not have been possible without the DRA's support. And junior Achieyement is just one of hundreds of
or~niz~tions and schools that have benefited from the DRA's grmnt program.
I hope you consider the expansion of f~ciJities at the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. This
expansion would create more revenue and thus provide more funds for redistribution to organizations
that need it. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Carisa Marovec
Executive Director
Junior Achievement of Tri-St~tes, Inc.
Dubuque Coun-ty Emergency Management Agency
11 West Ninth Street · Dubuque, IA 52001-4839
Phone (563) 589-4170 · Fax (563) 589-4208
E-Mai1: dbqema@mwci.net
Thomas I. Berger, Director
December 5 , 200o
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the Dubuque County Emergency Management Commission and the Dubuque
County Support Services, I would like to Laform you of the impact of the Dubuque Racing
Association and the many projects they kave funded for our organization.
As a newly reorganized response organization the Dubuque Racing Association has provided the
funding for our response trailer, generators and lighting equipment, automatic external
defibrillator, and emergency lighting equipment for our prime mov/ng vehicle. Our organization
responds to assist any law enforcement, fire or emergency medical service organization in
Dubuque County at the scene of a major incident or at a natural disaster. Our services have been
used numerous times since our inception and we would not be a viable organization if not for the
c6ntdbutions of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino and the Dubuque Racing Association.
We encourage you to support the proposed expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino facility. The Dubuque Racing Association has a positive impact on people in the
Dubuque County, and especially the emergency responders of our county.
Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Fire Chief
Epworth Fire Department
Dubuque l
Commumty
Y
35 NORTH BOOTH STREET DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001 PHONE (563) 556-3371 FAX (563) 556-2728
December 5, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, SukeB
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing in support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino's deske to expand
thek facility. The Dubuque Community Y has been a recipient of grant money from the
DRA for a number of years. For example, we received grant money to purchase and
install a state of the art security system at our Domestic Violence Shelter. This year we
were awarded money to install a water splash pad at our summer day camp in order to
better serve our very young and handicapped campers. As an organization we are .
constantly challenged to be good stewards of our finances and to be responsible managers
of our operational budget. However, the challenge of extraordinary capital outlays many
times is beyond realistic financial expectations. That is where the DRA has been
invaluable to our organization. Our mission as the Dubuque Commtmity Y is to
positively impact the lives ofpeople in our community. Without the support of the DRA
the quality and quantity of services that we provide will be compromised. We support
the Dubuque Greyhound park and Casino's efforts to be financially successful. As
beneficiaries ofthek Grant Award Pr. ograrrk thek success contributes to our success in
addressing the needs of our commumty.
Sincerely,
Toby Wisecup
Executive Dkector
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF N,E. IOWA, INC.
DAVID L. MILLER
President/CEO
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Association
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, LA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing in support of the proposed expansion of the Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino facility. Our agency has benefited a
great deal fi:om the grants that have been awarded to us over the
past five years. Without this help our services could not have
obtained vehicles or equipment that was needed to provide services
to people with disabilities and disadvantages. I believe that the
Dubuque Racing Association has impacted the Dubuque
Community in a positive manner and a further expansion of their
facility would be a good idea. I know that everyone at .Goodwill
Industries is appreciative of what has been done for us.
Sincerely,
Michael Murphy, Program Manager
Goodwill Industries
1800 Radford Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Waterloo, IA 50701-5790 Dubuque, IA 52002 Oelwein, IA 50662
~'%//~ ......... ~%~' Phene/l'DO 31912344626 Phone 56315834859 Phone 31912834458
............... ,~ ~,,,~.,,~, m 5~-~23 United Way
Girl Scouts
Girl Sco~ts of Little C[oL~d Council
girlscouts@littleclot~cLo~g
December 10, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners,
The Girl Scouts of Little Cloud Council are fortunate to have been the beneficiary of
many gray. ts provided by the Dubuque Racing Association through *.he years. In just
the last few years alone, those grants allowed us to:
o Discourage teenage pregnancy by offering the Baby Think It Over program to
girls in junior high school. Through pre-tests and post-tests, girls who
participated increased the age at which they first anticipate having a child by 2-
3 years.
· Increase safety at Camp Little Cloud due to the purchase of a John Deere gator
with a medbed unit. This purchase also allowed us to transport our wheelchai~
bound campers with ease.
· Add to the health and fitness of girls by providing a paved sports pad, which
serves a dual role as an ice skating rink in the winter.
· Pave a very steep and often impassable road to the lower camp area, providing
easier and safer access year-round.
· Increase access to the office through the addition of a handicap accessible entry.
· Upgrade office equipment in desperate need to provide the best service possible
to our volunteers.
The ~vork of the Girl Scouts would be very different if grants provided by the DRA were
not available. We understand that the DRA wishes to expand its facilities to ensure
continuation of their strong support of charities and hope you consider the
organization's impact on the community in your deliberations.
Sincerely,
Sue Wheaton
Executive Director/CEO
DUBUQUE OFFICE
prot'essiontt[ Acts F[aza
200 Mercy Drive, Suite 200
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
(3t9) 582 0[45
FAX (3 [ 9) 592-0722
CLENTON OFFICE
5[9 South 3rd St£eet
Clinton, IA 52732
(359) 243 5633
FAX (319) 243-9567
ANDE~W JACKSON CARIg
[ 8720 250tkt Avenue
Be[ievue, IA 5203 I
(5[9) 671-3371
FAX ~319) 672-35 [4
December 10, 2003
iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des 1Vioines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
Tt4s letter is being written in support of the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino's desire to expand their facility. As a larger facility would result in
increased revenue, it would also result in increased distributions to non-profit
organizations such as ours.
The Garmon Center serves more than 5000 individuals and ~amilies in
Dubuque, Jackson and Clinton counties. The need for quality mental health
services is on-going. In fact, demand for services and the volmme of those in
need has increased, while overall public and private funding for mental health
services has been reduced. And, with the present economic pressures at both
the state and federal levels, public dollars are being reduced even more~ .
causing reimbu?§ements Go fall below s~rvi6e c6sts] As a resldt, tike Garmon
Center needs financial assistance through fundraising more than ever.
With the help of generous donors such as the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino, we have, and will continue to serve the mental health needs of adults,
families, troubled youth and the elderly, regardless of their level of income.
Sincerely,
pamela A. Storck
Director !-IR
Dubuque Area Swimmin' Hurricanes
December 3, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
The Dubuque Area Swimmin' Hurricanes (DASH) is a united States Swimming affiliated swim
team in Dubuque that provides a year round swim team for the youth of the Dubuque area.
DASH has been fortunate to be a beneficiary of charitable contributions that have been
distributed by the Dubuque Racing Association. If not for the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino and the Dubuque Racing Association we would not have been able to purchase the
needed equipment for the team to function with day to day training, and we would not have
been able to purchase timing equipment to host swim meets that bdng swimmers and their
parents from throughout the state to town for a weekend.
The DASH swim family fully supports the proposed expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park
& Casino. The contributions made by the Dubuque Racing Association to the charities in the
Dubuque, area has greatly increased the quality of life for many cross sections of our
community.
I would request on behalf of the DASH family that the Iowa Racing and Gaming commission
approve the expansion for the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino.
Sincerely,
David E. Wallis
Trustee - Dubuque Area Swimm'n Hurricanes
t292 Curtis Street
Dubuque, IA 52003-7207
CENTt~4LIA /PEOSTA VOLIJ~TEER FIREFIGHTERS
8579 Tenais Lane
Peosta, IA 52068
To;
Iowa Racing end Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des/~,oines, IA 50309
From: Centralia / Peosta Volunteer Fire Dept.
8579 Tennis Ln
Peosta, IA 52068
Dear 5irs, December 7, 2003
It is my understanding that the Dubuque Racing Association is seeking your approval for
expansion to their facilities located at the Greyhound Park in Dubuque, Iowa. The purpose of this
letter is to encourage your support of that project.
Over the past several years, the Dubuque Racing Association (bRA) has helped us fund several
projects that would still only be a dream to us if not for their help. The city of Peosta is one of
the areas that our department protects. As you may know, Peosta is the home to several large
manufacturing facilities. We not only have the factories to provide with fire and 53A5 protection,
but we also have to protect the many growing subdivisions and schools, and the Northeast Iowa
Community College located here. Peosta ranked #t a few years ago in the USA Today as the
fastest growing town in the midwest This is one of the reasons that we are in such need of the
help from the DRA. As the town grows in leaps and bounds, our service to the community must
also grow. We used to receive about 30 emergency calls per year. Now we are in the i00 calls per
year range.
The DRA has been very supportive of us during this transition period. They have helped us
purchase items such as new turnout gear to protect our most valuable asset, our firefighters.
They have helped us purchase new self contained breathing apparatus(SEgA)that our firefighters
wear when they are working in a hazardous atmosphere. Then they helped us purchase a new air
compressor that we use to fill our 5CBA tanks. They have helped us purchase a new rescue truck
that carries our supplies and personnel to the scene of the emergency. They have even helped us
purchase new pagers to alert our personnel when there is an emergency.
As you can see, the DRA has played a major role in enabling us to effectively protect lives
and property in our area. Our need for them is far from complete. We ask that they be allowed
to expand their facility as they wish.
Sincerely-
Jack Koetz, Chief
Centralia / Peosta FD
3 December 2003
Iowa Racing mud Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suke B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Comraissioners;
I mm writing in support of an expanded facility for the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
The Dubuque Racing Association (DiLl) has proven to be a good neighbor to those of us in
northeast Iowa and the Tri-State Region. Thousands of folks in this area have benefited through
the generosity of the DRA over the years.
Divine Word College, a seminary for young men with goals of becoming missionaries, is just one
of the non-profits and charities that have been assisted through the munificence of this
organization. The College has been awarded the following gifts by the DRA:
$7,750 in 1996, to paint our gyrrmasinm, clean our brick walls, and install a new stage
curtain
$9,850 in 1997, for ceiling repair in our swhmming pool, dressing room, fitness room and
associated corridors
$15,000 in t998 for additional swimming pool repairs
$31,000 in 1999 for replacing a portion of our roof in our main building
$7,500 in 2001 for handicapped access to our main entrance
$15,000 in 2003 for rendering our main elevator handicapped accessible.
I would add that these improvements went far beyond benefits to our seminarians. Divine Word
College provides open swimming periods to the l~pworth community, gymnasium usage to
Western Dubuque Schools, and hosts rnnltiple public events each year that serves the people of
our northeastern Iowa region. On behalf of the College I encourage your approval of this
expansion request by our good neighbor the Dubuque Racing Association.
Dr. Bob Mo!iS~~
102 Jacoby Drive
P.O. Box 380
Epworth, Iowa 52045-0380
563-876-3353
December 9~ ZOO3
Iowa Racing and Gaming Committee
717 East Court, suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I strongly urge you to grant permission to the Dubuque Greyhound
Perk and casino whereby they can expend their facility to include
more slot machines- There are two reasons I support this.
The Dyersville Area Community Food Pantry has recived several
grants from the Greyhound Park and Casino. These grants were/are
very much needed because the number of families receiving our
service increases each year. The local contributions do not cover
all of our expenses- Because of receiving a freezer and refrigerator,
through grahts, we are now able to accept donations of downed an-
imals and deer meat as well es meat we are able to purchase at the
Food Bank. When people are nutritionally well fed, there are fewer
social problems which benefits society as a whole.
Many people from the Tri-State area, including myself, have been
traveling to other casinos for our entertainment- Too often a slot
machine of our liking is unavailable at the Greyhound Perk. There
no doubt that an expanded facility would result in increased
revenue for the Tri-State area.
Sincerely,
Dgre~hp~Digmenn, Treasurer
Dyersville Area Community Food Pantry
HOLY CROSS VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENT
901 CHURCH ST.
HOLY CROSS, IA 52053
December 8, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the volunteers of the Holy Cross/North Buena Vista Fire & Rescue
Department and.the many citizens we serve in Clayton and Dubuque Counties, please
accept this letter in support of the proposed gaming expansion of the Dubuque
Greyhound park and Casino.
As the Fire Chief, I am proud to say that over the past five years our volunteer
department has been the recipient of over $35,000.00 thanks to the revenue generated and
contributed by the DGPC to the DKA for its annual grant program. This money has
funded projects that based on current fund raising abilities would have been nearly
impossible to accomplish on our own. In a small rural farming community, our needs far
outwveigh our limited financial resources. Thanks to the grants, we have been able to
upgrade and purchase new equipment vital to the security and well being of the
community we serve and therefore increase our quality of life. Some of the new
equipment we have been able to acquire includes new personal protective gear and air
packs, the remodelLng of a veh/cle we now use as our quick-attack response truck, a new
defibulator and stretcher for our ambulance, as welI as new pagers and radios. While our
annual fundraisers are successful and well supported, the grants allowed us to make these
critical improvements in a timelier manner and therefore increase our quality of service.
While we and other grant recipients have certainly directly benefited from the
DGPC and the DRA over the years, our community as a whole benefits from this
expansion. Our city, RHCL School, and the Holy Cross Church have also received
grants. The support that the DRA has shown our community and other communities
throughout the Tri-State area is unrivaled by any other organization. But it goes far
beyond even the grants. The D@PC is a major employer in the area, and an expansion
means more jobs and yet another boost for economic development. With the increase in
tourism from the completion of the America's River Project, also funded in pan through
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
December 8, 2003
Page 2
the DRA, we know we need bigger and better facilities to entertain and retain visitors to
our area. Through expansion, the DGPC can offer new entertainment to entice first
timers and attract previous viskors to return.
The bottom line is that over the last ten years, the quality of life in the Tri-State
area has been able to increase dramatically thanks to the DGPC and the support of the
DRA. A facility expansion would help continue this trend and make our community
even more attractive to future new employers and employees Mike. Not many ventures
offer win-win scenarios, but this one does. We sincerely appreciate your understanding
and reco~m~2tion of the proposed growth of the DGPC. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Jack Theisen
Holy Cross Fire Chief
946 Sunshine St.
Holy Cross, IA 52053
SHERRiLL FIRE DEPARTMENT
SS07 SOUTH MOUND ~D
SHER~ILI-~ IOWA 52073
tcummer~logondubuque.net
December 9, 2003
Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission
717 East Court Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners,
have recently heard of the news that The Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino is considering an
eixpansion of their facility. As the Fire Chief of a local department, and I am in the construction busineSs,
I think that this would be of great importance to our community, it has a great possibility to help our
department through the wonderful grant program that hey have. It would also help bring mare tourist to
the area and that always helps the economy and all business in general. At this time of need in the
economy this would be a great thing to help create jobs and to expand on a great facility that does a
great deal for the community and is supported by people who like to just go out and have a li[tle fun.
Thank you and have a great day
Very truly yours,
Chief Thomas J. Cummer
City of Zwingle
PO Box 527
Zwingle, Iowa 52079-0527
December 3, 2003
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Dear Commissioners:
This letter is written in support of the expansion of the Dubuque Greyhound Park &
Casino. It is my understanding that Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino is considering
the expansion of their facilities and to increase the number of slot machines at the track.
This organization has contributed to the economic well being of the Dubuque, Iowa and
tri-state area surrounding it for many years. An expanded casino will increase funding
that is returned to many organizations throughout the tri-state area through a grant
program administered by the Dubuque Racing Association. Most, if not all, of these
organizations would not be capable of funding much needed improvements to their
communities without the funding provided through the grant program. Their program is
unique in that their funding is not restricted to only one county in the tri-state area, but
several thus helping the counties, cities and non profit organizations in a wide area
instead of limiting their funding to only their home county as is the norm in ali the
surrounding counties that have gaming facilities.
The City of Zwingle, a community of 100 citizens, has received two grants to build a
public restroom facility at the City Hall/Library. The city did not have funds available to
construct this project or to drill a well needed to provide the necessary water supply. The
city also received a grant to purchase and construct a emergency warning siren that will
serve the small city and a wide surrounding rural area. We believe these grants will
provide much needed services and provide welfare and safety to a wide population of the
area. Again, these would not have been possible without the contributions to the city
through the Dubuque Greyhound & Casino grant program. We believe an expanded
facility would provide increased funding to this grant program therefore providing much
needed services to a wide area served by Greyhound Park & Casino.
Again, the City of Zwingle and the Zwingle City Council fully support the expansion of
the facilities and the addition of an increased number of slot machines at the Dubuque
Greyhound Park & Casino.
Nell Morehead
City Clerk
MARQUETTE HIGH SCHOOL
ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL
Park and Franklin Streets
Bellevue, Iowa 52031
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
On behalf of the Marquette Catholic School System in Bellevue, Iowa, I would
like to voice my support for expanding the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino.
We are a small private school system located in a small town about 20 miles south
of Dubuque. With the downturn in the economy over the past several years it has been a
real struggle for our system to continue to exist. Even the very limited state help we were
receiving through state technology money came to an end two years ago due to the crisis
in the state's budget.
Through these very tough times, one of the bright spots in helping us provide real
excellence in educating our gtudents has been the Grant Awards provided by the
Dubuque Racing Association.
Over the past years, the Dubuque Racing Association has helped us fund many
educational improvements for our students. These include: technology improvements
throughout our school, replacement of our ageing blackboards with new whiteboards,
creating an environmental classroom area for our Junior High Science classes, starting a
new Balanced Literacy program in our elementary school, and upgrading and remodeling
our high school science lab.
An expanded facility at the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino would correlate
to increased distributions through their Grant Awards program, and that would translate
into more educational improvements for our students.
I would be happy to expand on any of the above projects if you would like any
add}tional information or I would be happy to provide any additional information that
might be helpful as you deliberate the request from the Dubuque Greyhound Park and
Casino.
Sincerely, ~
Rcfi~dy ~ube~' i '~'
Curriculum and Finance Director
Marquette Catholic School System
December 8, 2003
towa Racing and Gaming Commission
717 East Court, Suite B
Des Moines IA 50309
Dear Commissioners:
I am xvriting this letter of support for the remodeling and upgrading of the
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino. The Dubuque Racing Association has
been very generous and supportive of our volunteer fire department through
their Grant A~vard Program.
A newer and larger facility would bring increased revenues from the many
travelers and visitors to the new Dubuque river front tourist area. With these
increased revenues would come increased distributions through their Grant
A~vard Program to volunteer non-profit organizations such as ours.
Over the last several years our volunteer fire department has been award
grant money averaging approximately twenty percent of our total annual
budget, without this valuable asset in our community we xvould be
devastated. Just think what an increase in this revenue could do? We could
get more needed training and equipment without our volunteers having to
raise the money ourselves, besides doing the emergency services work also.
Please let the Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino and the Dubuque Racing
Association help us even more.
Thank you,
MLke Burke
Fire Chief
Bernard Community Fire Association
P O Box 13
Bernard IA 52032