HARRIS — An expansion project at the Island Resort and Casino is on schedule despite the pandemic.

“It’ll be exciting. I mean it’ll be a brand new wing on our facility, it’ll compliment everything we have and it’s going to be a lot of new offerings. So we’re really excited about it, and every time we’ve done an expansion it’s been really well received by the public, and we don’t see how this would be any different,” said Island Resort and Casino General Manager Tony Mancilla.

The $33 million expansion, which was announced in January of last year, significantly increases the room capacity of the Island’s hotel by creating 138 new rooms. According to Mancilla, the rooms were necessary to keep up with demand.

“We needed the rooms, actually. We have a waiting list weekends of over 150 people, and that’s selling out our current 326 rooms. We really needed the rooms is the number one things. So 138 rooms, put it against any hotel in Escanaba, it’s twice the size of hotel — just our addition,” he said.

Because some of the existing rooms had to be removed to add hallways connecting the existing hotel area to the new facility, the new expansion will bring the total number of rooms to 457.

The project is currently in the second of three planned phases. The first phase consisted of underground utility work and the erection of the building. Now, contractors are working on electrical, plumbing, and drywalling, which is expected to be completed in June.

The project’s third phase includes painting the new interiors; installing carpeting, trim, and other final touches; and placing in-room items like beds and decor. Mancilla anticipates the third phase will be completed this November with rooms being available to guests shortly after completion.

“It’s all going according to schedule and according to budget and we haven’t seen any major issues. All of our contracts have been signed so we don’t anticipate anything happening,” said Mancilla, adding the contractors connected with the project have contingency plans in place in case workers fall ill with COVID-19.

While the primary goal of the expansion is to increase the number of rooms that are available to guests, the project also includes what Mancilla describes as a “mini water park” for children. The enclosed pool area will include slides and other water features and will be accessible year-round.

The project also includes an expansion of the Island’s 5 Bridges Steak & Seafood House, which will be moved to the top floor of the expansion.

“Our current area seats about 80, so we needed a bigger high-end restaurant, so that’s what this one will be and we’re going to convert our current restaurant into a food court. So it’ll have, you know, pizza and other offerings in there,” said Mancilla, who said it was important for the Island to be able to feed the additional guests staying in the expanded hotel.

According to Mancilla, the hotel has been consistently filled even with the pandemic. However, any dips in bookings caused by the virus aren’t expected to last.

“Things are getting more back to normal now. So as people are getting used to it and the vaccines are coming out, people are a little more relaxed. So we’re starting to see a little more normalcy,” he said.