Construction starts on Ho Chunk convention center

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Buy Now An artist rendering of the exterior of the convention center that will be a part of the Ho-Chunk casino in Beloit. Photo provided Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save BELOIT — Construction has started on the last big piece of the Ho-Chunk casino, hotel, convention center project.On March 2, Miron Construction of Neenah, the general contractor for the project pulled a building permit for the convention center. The permit estimates the 75,962-square-foot convention center will cost $35.57 million.The Ho-Chunk Nation broke ground on the overall project near the corner of Willowbrook and Colley roads in October 2024 and the casino is on track to open some time in September. The 18-story, 312-room hotel and the convention center will open in 2027.Since the ground-breaking, Miron has taken out eight permits on various parts of the project, estimating construction costs at $345.4 million and paid the city $35,765 in building permit fees.The project is so massive that Ho-Chunk is spending $4.4 million to build maintenance and groundskeeping buildings. Altogether, with fixtures, furniture and other amenities, the casino project, which includes a 1,500-space parking garage, is expected to cost the Ho-Chunk Nation $705 million.Although the convention center was the last to get started, it is perhaps the centerpiece when it comes to drawing people ...