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 St. Charles, MO—The expansion of the Ameristar St. Charles Casino & Conference Center reached that crucial milestone that takes place between ground breaking and ribbon cutting—Topping Off. Executives of Ameristar Casinos, Inc., gathered with guests and local leaders for a Topping Off ceremony for venue’s new luxury hotel, spa and pool slated to open in December 2007.

To commemorate the occasion, guests signed the final steel beam that was then raised to the top of the 25-story hotel tower, signifying that construction has reached its highest point. "Today's Topping Off ceremony is an historic milestone in the completion process and the official countdown to opening the hotel has begun," said Jim Franke, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar St. Charles. "We are anxious to create a guest experience unmatched in the St. Louis area. We are pleased that the community could help us celebrate and that we could provide a glimpse at what is in store with our property."

When finished, the new $265 million facility will include a 400-roomall-suite luxury hotel, a 7,000-square-foot full-service spa, an indoor/outdoor pool area with landscaped grounds and waterfalls and a 2,000-space parking garage. The first phase of the expansion—with 19,200 square feet of state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities—opened in September 2006.  "Coupled with our award-winning dining, expansive casino and the new conference and meeting center, this expansion further positions Ameristar St. Charles as the premier destination in the region," Franke added.

The combination of meeting facilities, gaming and luxury accommodations and amenities fulfills the Ameristar mission, according to John Boushy, CEO and President of Ameristar Casinos. "The new hotel and spa will feature best-in-class service and upscale amenities that will create a luxury destination resort experience for our guests in a fun and friendly environment that fully complements our gaming, dining, conference and entertainment options. Ameristar is committed to creating the highest quality facilities in each of its markets."

The Topping Off ceremonies noted the blend of traditional and contemporary design motifs of the expansion. The hotel and parking garage exterior reflects the historic masonry the St. Charles area, but interpreted with a modern take— guests will enter the hotel from a newly refurbished and modern entryway that is predominantly sleek glass with stone floors and walls but also includes a "water wall," introduce sound and atmosphere into the classical space. Guests then encounter the hotel's sweeping two-story lobby, with scenic views of the Missouri River amid sophisticated luxury. The stunning chocolate and burgundy-toned décor incorporates plush draperies and premium leather furnishings in intimate seating groups, framed by rich area rugs over marble flooring and lit by the glow of two robust fireplaces.

The all-suite hotel's 400 oversized, luxurious rooms will offer the metropolitan area's most upscale accommodations. All suites have been designed with front bedroom entrances that showcase scenic views of the river and historic St. Charles. The rooms are decorated in a warm palette of espresso, caramel, ivory and gold and include custom furnishings, such as full-height leather headboards and geometrically patterned marble stone floors.

"Our guests have come to expect the highest quality facilities and outstanding service from Ameristar, and we intend to surpass their expectations once again," remarked Boushy. Guests and meeting attendees will be able to relax at an impressive indoor/outdoor pool, a unique pool deck, where they can swim between the indoor and outdoor pools surrounded by tranquil fountains, hot tubs, upscale chaise lounges, specialty seating areas and romantic fire pits. Also on the pool level is the hotel's full-service spa—a tranquil and relaxing water-themed environment featuring blue and green tones and ample architectural use of custom glass. The 7,000-square-foot spa will offer a full menu of traditional and unique signature spa services in six private treatment rooms.

At the Topping Off ceremonies, Franke emphasized the economic benefits of bolstering the St. Charles hospitality industry with luxurious accommodations attached to a state-of-the-art conference center. The project has created an estimated 400 local construction jobs, when completed, the hotel and spa will employ an additional 100 employees. "The addition of this luxury facility in a high-demand market will also increase tax revenue and bring more visitors to St. Charles and other parts of the region," he said. "We are proud to be part of the St. Charles community and bring such a positive project to an area in which we successfully operate and already employ approximately 1,800 team members."

For Ameristar, the St. Charles is a harbinger of further growth. "Ameristar continues to work toward its goal of doubling its size," said Boushy. "The Company expects approximately half of that growth will come through acquisitions such as the pending agreement to purchase Resorts East Chicago located in the Chicagoland market, and the other half will come through capital improvement projects at existing Ameristar properties."

Ameristar Casino St. Charles, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. was established in 1994 as the first gaming facility in Missouri, the new Ameristar that opened in 2002 boasts a cobblestone streetscape inspired by the 1880's architecture of the St. Charles River Port District with seven dining and entertainment venues. Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment Company known for its premier properties characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino floors and superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings. Ameristar's focus on the total entertainment experience and the highest quality guest service has earned it a leading position in each of the markets in which it operates. Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nevada, Ameristar properties include: Ameristar Kansas City, Ameristar Vicksburg, Ameristar Black Hawk, and Cactus Petes.