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Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Will Apply for Pennsylvania Casino License

 
FARMINGTON, Pa., Jan. 7, 2010 - Nemacolin Woodlands Resort located in Farmington, Fayette County, Pennsylvania today announced it intends to file an application with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for a resort gaming license. Additionally, Nemacolin Woodlands announced that it has reached a casino management and marketing agreement with Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISLE), one of the country's most respected gaming operators, to manage the casino.

Nemacolin Woodlands indicated that it intends to formally apply to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the remaining Category 3 resort gaming license, as authorized under the 2004 Gaming Act, in the immediate future. Legislation signed into law today by Pennsylvania Governor Rendell made certain changes to the Gaming Act governing the state's resort casinos.

Nemacolin Woodlands President and Owner Maggie Hardy Magerko noted that significant changes made to the parameters of the resort casino license over the past three years; including reduction of the patron amenity expenditure requirement from twenty-five to ten dollars, the addition of more slot machines and the expansion into table games make operating a casino at Nemacolin Woodlands a very attractive opportunity.

"Add to this the management and marketing expertise of Isle of Capri, one of the most recognizable and experienced names in the gaming industry, and we believe we have the best venue in terms of resort amenities and management to effectively and profitably operate a casino," said Hardy Magerko.

The casino would be housed at the resort's Wild Side entertainment complex located at the corner of Route 40 and Smith School Road. The facility formerly was the Woodlands World outdoor store which relocated to downtown Uniontown four years ago.

"We believe Nemacolin Woodlands Resort with our vast array of amenities ranging from the Woodlands Spa, to Mystic Rock Golf Course, to sporting clays, off road course, skiing, fine dining and many other activities offers the premiere resort venue in the state and with the expertise of Isle of Capri will result in a casino that offers a unique experience for our patrons and maximizes the economic benefits for the state," said Hardy Magerko.

Isle of Capri Casinos President and Chief Operating Officer Virginia McDowell noted, "Since we first began our discussions with Nemacolin Woodlands and visited the facility, our team has been convinced that this is the right opportunity in the perfect location to build a resort casino in Pennsylvania. Nemacolin Woodlands is Pennsylvania's premier resort destination, and the plans we are building together will situate the property to produce maximum benefits for the state and the community."

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is one of North America's premier resort destinations earning a Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide) Four-Star rating and a AAA Four Diamond Rating. Nemacolin Woodlands has also been honored as one of Travel + Leisure magazine's 500 Best Hotels in the World. Situated on over 3,000 acres, the resort features 335 luxurious guestrooms, suites, townhouses, and private luxury homes, including the AAA Five Diamond Falling Rock boutique hotel and clubhouse. In addition to the internationally acclaimed Woodlands Spa, the resort features the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Lautrec Restaurant and offers 36 holes of golf on two championship courses -- the Pete Dye designed Mystic Rock and the traditional Links Course. For additional information, visit our websites at www.nemacolin.com www.falling-rock.com or call 724-329-8555.
 

History of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

In 1968, Pittsburgh industrialist Willard F. Rockwell (Rockwell International) established a private game reserve in the Laurel Highlands on what is now Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. This property was named Nemacolin Trails Hunting Reserve. The Rockwell�s invited friends and business associates to hunt and fish the 400-acre reserve, populated by silver fox, bear and white-tailed deer. A hunting lodge was constructed in 1968, together with the golf course and airstrip. Lakes Louise and Carol were also added and Beaver Creek was developed into the excellent trout stream it is today. 

The property was sold in 1979 to Cordelia Mellon Scaife and became an exclusive conference center. Three years later, the property returned to the Rockwell Family. Kent Rockwell, Willard�s son, purchased the conference center and opened it to the public. In the years immediately following, the Maples and Laurel Ponds townhouses and a number of private homes were established on the estate. 

In 1987, Joseph A. Hardy, III, founder of the 84 Lumber Company, purchased a large portion of the Nemacolin property at auction.  An auction he attended in the hopes of purchasing a few acres of woodlands near a lake or stream for his daughter, Maggie, who loved fishing. 

As Hardy recounts, �I left the auction without that piece of property for fishing because I bought the main parcel and was out of money.� Hardy and his daughter, Maggie, promptly set about transforming the property into its present state � a 2,000 acre world-class resort, rated Four-Stars by the prestigious Mobil Travel Guide and Four-Diamonds by the American Automobile Association (AAA).  In 2002, Hardy transferred full ownership of the resort to his daughter, Maggie Hardy Magerko, who still serves as President and Owner. 

The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort timeline: 

1987 (year of Hardy ownership) � The Tudor-style Lodge was expanded, and work on an elegant annex of 68 rooms commenced, together with the Executive Conference Center and new lobbies.   The Woodlands Golf Academy was established. 

1988 � The Woodlands Spa opened.  Soon afterward, the Gazebo, Lake P.J., and the Panorama Pavilion were constructed.

1989 � The Lodge Annex was followed by the Townhouses on the Links. 

1991 � The Grand Ballroom was added to the Executive Conference Center. 

1992 � The Tavern, the Caddy Shack, Equestrian Center and Fallingbrook miniature golf course opened. 

1995 � Mystic Rock golf course, Paradise Pool, Kidz Club, Heritage Court Shoppes and Mystic Mountain opened. 

1997 � The elegant Chateau Lafayette hotel including the Cigar Bar, Hardy & Hayes Jewelers, the Marquis Ballroom and Lautrec opened. 

1998 � Major renovation and expansion of the Woodlands Spa. 

1999 � The Shooting Academy opened.

2000 � The Auto Toy Store opened, featuring a number of rare and collectible automobiles.

2001 � The Air Hanger opened. 

2002 � Woodlands World Outdoor Store and the Off-Road Driving Academy opened. 

2003 � The John Daly Learning Center opened on the Links golf course and the PGA Tour 84 Lumber Classic came to the Mystic Rock course. 

2004 � Falling Rock and Aqueous Restaurant opened and the Off-Road Driving Academy is expanded.  Mystic Rock golf course undergoes extensive renovations. 

2005 � The Woodlands Spa is expanded, adding 12 treatment rooms, a squash court and relocated fitness center.  Horizon Point meeting facility opened.  Nemacolin ventures into downtown Uniontown with the opening of downtown stores.

2006 � Woodlands World Outdoor Stored moves to downtown Uniontown.  Wildlife habitats are built, bringing black bears, elk, emus, Patagonian Cayvees, Australian wallabies and zebra to the resort.  Dogsledding is added as a winter adventure offering.  The Golden Trout restaurant is closed and reopened after a total interior and menu renovation as Autumn. 

2007 � Marks the 20th anniversary of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.  Paige�s Beach opened as the new location for paddleboats, kayaking and canoeing.  The Canoe Museum located at Paige�s Beach opened.  Equestrian Center becomes new Wildlife Academy.  Buffalos join the mix of Nemacolin�s wildlife habitats � including a very rare, solid white buffalo.  Falling Rock Hotel is awarded the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award.

2008 - Nemacolin's fine-dining restaurant, Lautrec, became one of only 50 restaurants in the United States to earn the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award, making Nemacolin one of only 21 resorts world-wide to offer Five Diamond lodging at Falling Rock and dining at Lautrec.  Falling Rock Hotel retains the Five Diamond status for the second year.  The WildSide an entertainment emporium, opened in the former Woodlands World Complex.

2009 - Lautrec retains the AAA Five Diamond Award and acquires the Mobil Five Star Award, and becomes one of only 14 restaurants in the country to have both ratings.  Falling Rock Hotel retains the AAA Five Diamond status for the third year.  Nemacolin Woodlands Resort becomes the first resort to be designated a PET PROUD® facility and partnered to open Nemacolin Wooflands Pet Resort & Spa.  In May, 2009, Nemacolin welcomes the opening of Spa Voyage a Kidz Spa that accommodates children ages 5 - 15 with age appropriate services and the Nemacolin Race Zone, and RC race track located within The WildSide.  The Off Road Driving Academy is renamed the TOMCAR Tactical Training Center and TOMCARS become the focus.  The Woodlands Animal Care Center, a primary animal care hospital complete with rehabilitative facilities opened.  Nemacolin joins the Social Networking world and establishes a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and YouTube.

www.nemacolin.com

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc creates value for customers, clients, shareholders and employees by providing regional gaming and leisure experiences matched to customer preferences, focused on operational effectiveness and organic growth for the company's properties. With solid regional diversification across the U.S., Isle of Capri has a seasoned management team who believes in strategic business plan to increase value through strong fiscal discipline and targeted operating strategies.

The Company owns and operates 14 casino properties in six states. Collectively, these properties boast over 15,000 slot machines and nearly 400 table games, over 3,100 hotel rooms and more than three dozen restaurants. The company's properties are in Biloxi, Lula and Natchez, Mississippi; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Bettendorf, Davenport, Marquette and Waterloo, Iowa; Boonville, Caruthersville and Kansas City, Missouri; two casinos in Black Hawk, Colorado; and a casino and harness track in Pompano Beach, Florida.

One of the largest publicly-traded gaming companies in the United States, Isle of Capri is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under ticker symbol ISLE. More information is available at the Company's website, www.islecorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. These forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted, either positively or negatively by various factors, including without limitation, licensing, and other regulatory approvals, financing sources, development and construction activities, costs and delays, weather, permits, competition and business conditions in the gaming industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein.
Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations and expansion projects, is included in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.
 

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Contact: 

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
http://www.nemacolin.com
 

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Also See: Recession Prompts Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to Reconsider Bid for Casino License from Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board / April 2009
Nemacolin Woodlands Reports 23% Increase in Occupied Rooms in the Last Quarter of 2001 and a 17.4% Increase in Revenue Compared to Last Quarter of 2000; Credits Location, Spa / March 2002
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