Is Waterpark Offer a Game Changer for Linn County Casino Push?

Could a last-minute offer to build a $30 million complex with a water park, bowling center and event space sway Linn County voters to reject a plan for a casino in Linn County?

The offer came from the CEO of Riverside Casino during a news conference called earlier today. Riverside has stated it will be devastated if a casino is built in Cedar Rapids and has poured $600,000 into defeating the measure that will go to voters on March 5.

Here's what the Gazette is reporting about the proposal:

The last-minute, “family-friendly” proposal is designed to turn voters against a casino in Cedar Rapids, and is coming from the casino owner whose casino in Riverside has spent $600,000 on the Just Say No Casino campaign to defeat the Linn County ballot measure.

The casino investors aren't buying it:

Dan Kehl’s, CEO of Riverside Casino, self interests and empty promises are quite transparent. By threatening NOT to build his water park unless there is no casino, he has clearly shown this is not about what is best for Linn County, but what is best for him and the Riverside Casino.