Update: 4:52 p.m.
One of the largest entertainment venues in Wisconsin is closing its doors for at least the short-to-medium future with the coronavirus outbreak.
But how long will Potawatomi Hotel & Casino close?
“We don’t really know,” said Rodney Ferguson, the CEO and GM of Potawatomi Hotel and Casino on WTMJ’s “Wisconsin’s Afternoon News.”
“As long as necessary to get this virus under control…make sure everybody’s safe, from our guests to our team members.”
Ferguson said he took time to discern the right decision, paying attention to how the COVID-19 situation was changing.
“I pretty much spent most of last weekend, all weekend long…watching the experts talk about the virus take hold of not just the country, but the whole world,” said Ferguson.
“It’s virtually impossible for us to operate without someone being in close contact with each other. To be on the safe side, we have to do the diligent thing and shut down the entire operation.”
He also felt it important to make sure the Potawatomi staff continued to be paid no matter what.
“We couldn’t service our guests without those team members. It’s just the right thing to do,” said Ferguson.
“The tribe historically has given back to their own membership and to the community. They realize the importance of having great team members.”
Original story
Milwaukee’s casino and entertainment center in the Menomonee Valley is closing its doors starting tomorrow afternoon in the wake of COVID-19.
They say the closure will happen starting Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT.
“At this time, the health and safety of our guests and the 2,700 team members at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is the top priority,” said Rodney Ferguson, CEO and General Manager, in a statement.
The company says they will pay employees during the temporary closure.