Connecting Wind Creek Casino Chicago Southland
Wind Creek Chicago Southland is a $529 million casino, hotel, restaurants and entertainment center spanned across 24 acres located about 26 miles south of Chicago in East Hazel Crest and Homewood near Interstate 80/294. The casino features a 70,000 sq-ft gaming floor with 1,400 slot machines, 56 table games, high-limit slot areas, a high-limit table games salon, a poker room, a dynamic sportsbook, 7 restaurants, 2 bars and 4 “Hidden Gems” throughout the casino floor–offering visitors a unique and customizable private gaming and event microenvironment. Designed with an emphasis on curated entertainment spaces, this new offering aims to redefine leisure and hospitality for the entire region. The hotel tower will open in early 2025. This will be an AAA Four Diamond hotel with 250 rooms, an indoor pool, a spa, and a rooftop restaurant.
The project has been led by General Contractor, W.E. O’Neil, bringing all the trades to the casino grand opening on Monday, November 11th. LVS partnered with W.E. O’Neil and the leading Electrical Contractor, Sharlen Electric, on the project as well as Bravo Technology Group to bring the overall low voltage systems to the casino. Coming in as LVS’s largest project to date, we are proud of the work our team has done bringing this one home and deliver to the community.
CONNECTING THE FLOOR
Casinos require a high level of data and network connection in order for operations to occur both internally and with guests. Utilizing CommScope’s Uniprise Certified structured cabling solution, LVS took on the overall installation of the cabling and fiber needed to connect the 1,400 slot machines, wall phone locations, POS locations, interactive touch screens, and wireless access points throughout the casino. 52 runs of 48-strand fiber was run to the casino floor and 200 6-strand fiber runs were then pulled from the 48-strand to bring fiber to the gaming pods. All housed within the main server room and IDFs throughout the facility, LVS ensured the overall connectivity and data was installed, organized, and tested.
SECURING, MONITORING + OVERALL SAFETY OF OPERATIONS
Arguably the most important element in a casino operations, overall security measures. Wind Creek Chicago Southland takes a strong security approach with their overall video surveillance system throughout the casino floor, hotel, and parking garage. With over 1,485 cameras, all areas of the facility are covered and monitored for safety and security. A mixture of fixed IP cameras, 270 degree cameras, and 360 degree cameras are in use for monitoring overall operations. In addition to video surveillance, LVS also installed the access control system to enable restricted access areas and overall monitoring of entry into certain areas of the facility. Consisting of 250 card readers, door contacts, electric strikes, request-to-exit devices, panic buttons and the overall head end equipment and device cabling, the access control system will protect secure areas and limit access to the appropriate personnel. Another level of security and safety the casino has implemented is an emergency call system in the case a situation should arise. LVS installed the wall mount call station with blue lights for ease of sight in the case of an emergency. The area of rescue system was implemented and installed within the casino and hotel to provide assistance for patrons should a situation arise. LVS installed those areas with a call button and appropriate signage and connectivity to the master station. In addition, an IP intercom system was implemented for personnel to communicate from the master station to a patron or employee at a specific door station and grant access. Another security technology the casino is utilizing to ensure safety is weapon detection devices at the entrance of the casino as an added layer of protection. LVS brought the data connection and cabling to these devices. Overall, our team delivered a robust security solution to ensure safety within the casino.
AUDIO VISUAL COMPONENTS
Throughout the casino floor, bars, restaurants, and private gaming areas, there are many audio and visual components to provide an entertaining and interactive experience for guests. LVS handled the overall cabling and installation of 600 ceiling and pedant speakers throughout the facility to provide ample sound for each area. In addition to the sound, LVS handled the installation of the many displays housed within the various areas of the casino. In total, there are 375 TV displays throughout the facility. The biggest portion of the installation was the two large video walls composed of NanoLumens technology spanning 40 feet by 18 feet and one spanning 20 feet by 18 feet.
OVERALL FIRE PROTECTION
A critical piece of any building to gain occupancy: the fire alarm system. LVS partnered with the electrical contractor and long-time partner, Sharlen Electric, on bringing the fire alarm system to fruition. Consisting of the main fire alarm control panel, speaker + visual devices, smoke/heat/CO detectors, duct detectors, tamper/flow connections, and elevator recall relays, our team ensured the fire alarm system was within code and completely addressable with the local fire department.
MANPOWER
In order to deliver on a such a complex project of this size, the LVS team put together a strong team of project managers + technicians to deliver the many low voltage systems required to bring this casino to life. LVS Senior Project Manager, Don Ryan, led the overall estimating and project management team with W.E. O’Neil and Sharlen Electric. The LVS team began installation efforts in February of 2024 with a few technicians and ramped up to 20-25 throughout construction. The field team was led by Local 134 General Foreman, Chuck Sonne.
LVS was on-site for the soft and grand openings to the public on November 11th to ensure there was support as the low voltage systems were brought to life. The team remains on-site continuing the installation of the systems within the hotel portion for an early 2025 completion.
Congratulations to Wind Creek, the project teams, and the Chicago Southland community on this major development and addition to the community!
