GULF COAST REBUILT
Corchis, Jr. describes just how crucial reconstruction was to the region’s collective psyche. He says, “We added $550 million for rebuilding after the original Beau Rivage construction investment of nearly $800 million. Beau Rivage re-opened for business on the one-year anniversary of Katrina, an aggressive timetable in light of what needed to be done.
“It took almost three years to reach a real turning point. As always, the casinos were benevolent citizens…”
“We wanted to get 3,800 people back to work as
quickly as possible, and believed the reopening date would deliver hope for the community. The world would also know that the Mississippi Gulf Coast was back bigger and better.” Despite long-term business and personal
heartache, the gaming industry pulled together. Hornsby says, “It took almost three years to reach a
real turning point. As always, the casinos were benevolent citizens, helping any cause. After Katrina, most continued paying their employees for a while.” According to Isle Vice President/General Manager Doug Shipley, the Isle opened its own relief center. The corporate office rotated many employees to other positions within the company’s other properties. He says, “We made serious efforts to care for each other.” On a smaller basis as a private company with finite
resources, Treasure Bay’s rebuilding took longer. They worked hard to recoup because COO Susan Varnes realized a delayed reopening would magnify economic problems. “Our ship was a smaller property with only 52,000
square feet of gaming space. Without the 800-foot law, we could not have reopened. What would have happened to our team here? They could hardly relocate to the Caribbean, where we own and operate three properties and manage two additional sites. “Our self-funded insurance program helped us
rebuild bits at a time. Within the gaming community, our reconstruction proved controversial. The the Mississippi Gaming Commission had awarded us a
30 OCTOBER 2011
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