Ankeny Residents Create Facebook Pages in Opposition of Possible Casino

Community response has been mixed toward a possible $150 million casino and entertainment complex that wants to call Ankeny home.

While Ankeny Patch comment streams are abuzz and other residents recently went on camera to show their distaste for the plans, others are taking it to Facebook.

Since the Ankeny City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Wild Rose Entertainment LLC to explore the possibility of building a casino near the Interstate 35 and 36th Street Northeast interchange with a 4-1 vote Monday night, at least two Facebook pages have surfaced in opposition to the possible project.

One page, Ankeny Citizens Against the Proposed Casino, has more than 410 likes as of Wednesday night.

The other, Say No to Ankeny Casino, is up to 85.

Wild Rose is considering building a casino on land near the interchange of Interstate 35 and Northeast 36th Street, according to the Des Moines Business Record.

The proposed complex includes the casino as well as a hotel, a 50,000-square-foot events center and multiple dining options located within the venue.

Under terms of the agreement, Wild Rose would not seek a state casino permit to operate another casino in Polk, Dallas, Jasper, Story or Warren counties, and the city would not cooperate with another entity that wanted to operate a gambling establishment in those counties.

Kirke and Richards are also partners in Fair Grounds LLC, which just last month filed an application with the city of Urbandale to rezone 85 acres of land to build a new casino. A week later, the application was withdrawn without explanation.

The city of Ankeny has posted a page on its website with frequently asked questions concerning the proposed project. Residents can submit their questions there as well.

Our Earlier Coverage

Second Ankeny Council Member Speaks Out Against Casino Plans

Ankeny Council Votes on Proposed Agreement with Casino Developer

UPDATED: Ankeny City Council to Consider Site Along I-35 for Casino