Grand Island Casino Resort at Fonner Park
Celebrating the Spirit of Nebraska’s Heartland
Client
Elite Casino Resorts
Project Location
Grand Island, NE
Area
241,000 SF
SERVICES
Architecture and interiors
Casino Energy, Local Story
At the heart of the resort, the 37,000-SF casino pulses with energy, its design rooted in Nebraska’s agricultural traditions. Ceiling fixtures suggest the rhythm of combine blades, while geometric panels reflect irrigation fields from above. Carpets in blues and greens evoke flowing water, grounding the excitement of 650 slot machines, 20 table games, and the sportsbook lounge. Draft Day, the sportsbook lounge and bar, continues the design narrative, with sweeping curves and sleek lines. In the showcase lounge, iridescent finishes shimmer like a prairie sunset. Each space surprises and delights, drawing guests into a uniquely Nebraskan story – told through form, texture, and light.
A Pool with a View
Perched on the second level, the pool deck serves as the resort’s social centerpiece. Guests can swim indoors or outdoors, relax in private cabanas, or gather at the island bar set in the middle of the pool. Meeting and event spaces connect to an expansive terrace, offering views of the racetrack and flexible layouts for weddings, business functions, or casual celebrations. The terrace also links directly to the track below, reinforcing the resort’s connection to its storied setting.
Retreat into Stillness
The spa invites a serene retreat inspired by the graceful migration of the sandhill crane and the calm of the Platte River. A neutral palette of sandbar hues, ash woods, and warm brass creates an atmosphere of natural tranquility. Accents of sandy beige and soft reds recall the bird’s plumage, while ceiling details and artwork capture cranes in flight. Guests move through spaces of renewal, from treatment and meditation rooms to nail services, sauna, ice room, and private soaking tub. Every design gesture blends natural inspiration with indulgent comfort, making the spa a restorative sanctuary within the vibrant casino resort.
Celebration in Every Detail
Ruthie’s, the Elite Casino Resorts’ signature steakhouse, honors the owner’s mother and her love of champagne with interiors that sparkle with celebration. Guests arrive through a corridor where light fixtures dot the walls like rising bubbles, guiding the way toward dining spaces framed by shimmering crystal glass installations. Rich tones of wine red and walnut wood shape an elegant yet welcoming dining experience, while chandeliers with gold domes and delicate fringe add dramatic flair. Seating ranges from cozy booths to family-style tables, all oriented toward racetrack views. With design details as layered as its menu, Ruthie’s captures both the energy of a lively steakhouse and the intimacy of a family tribute.
