Shooting Range Re-opening Signals Casino’s Re-Birth

(Tunica, MS 7/31/2012)  Things are popping in Tunica these days. 

More people are coming to the casinos and recovery from last year’s floods is nearly complete.

 It was obvious at the re-opening of Harrah’s Willows Sporting Clays center.

This ultimate shooting range closed down during last year’s floods, like many things there.

Fourteen months later, things are picking up ,and even casual visitors are noticing.

”They’ve done quite a bit of remodeling. Resorts especially. You can tell the crowds are coming back. The parking lots are fuller and you can’t hardly get a machine” said Gail Johnson of Tunica.

All the casinos have spruced up, and have restored damaged areas inside an out, like this RV park.

The Willows signifies the comeback of some of Tunica County’s most important non-gaming assets.

”Everything’s new. The entire clubhouse is new. The stations are new,” said R. Scott Barber, Regional President of Caesars Entertainment Mid-South Region.

That’s helped gaming numbers at the casinos.

More people are showing up and they’re spending more on not just gambling, but other activities like golf and, yes, shooting.

”We’ve seen a slow rebound. Obviously we’re still fighting macro-economic conditions throughout the Mid-South, but we’ve had a pretty good summer season. The volumes have started to come back,” Barber explained.

People like Johnson say bringing people to the casinos helps the town of Tunica show off the many unique things it has to offer, ”It makes me feel good, because Tunica depends on these casinos.  We want them to thrive and be successful.”

Facilities like the Willows help make Tunica more competitive among gaming destinations around the country bring more and money and jobs to the area.