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| West Baden Atrium Before and After |
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| French Lick Springs Hotel |
It was November 3, 2006 when the newly renovated French Lick Resort opened its doors to the public, complete with a hard-fought-for
casino. Thanks to the improvements and additions, this area was on a new path
to growth.
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| Barry Wininger |
Barry Wininger was a member of the town council at the
time and remembers the impact the resort had on the community then. “The
difference from ten years ago is unbelievable. French Lick is not the same,
it’s turned completely around. We have new buildings, new streets and
sidewalks, trails – all because Cook came here.”
Wininger recalls how things were a decade ago, “The
infrastructure was in shambles for the town. Everything was falling apart
including the sewers. The town had been in trouble for about 40 years.”
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| French Lick Casino Today |
“We decided to take out bonds against the casino knowing
that once the casino revenue came in, we could pay off our bonds. We’d be able
to make improvements one to two years out,” he said. “Thanks to the casino, our
city revenues were $110,00 million in 2007. We’re very fortunate that as the bonds were paid off, we were able
to stay ahead. French Lick has been pro-active in
making sure to spend only for the money coming in from revenues. Without the
Cooks, and the bonds they bought, we’d never been able to do any of this."
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| Town of French Lick, Indiana |
Wininger believes the towns were literally reinvented. The
communities kept their historical buildings and now work ardently to preserve
the history that is here. And what does Wininger believe the future holds for
this region? “I see a great future, although it doesn’t seem like it’s been 10
years. It seems like just yesterday. Orange County is getting better. Saturday
nights the sidewalks used to roll up at 6:00 and now people are out strolling
around at 11pm. I think the future holds only good things for French Lick and
the resort.”
By Joy Neighbors