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| Volume XXV, Number 4 | March 19, 2004 |
By Shelley Marmor
TAMPA — Some came to gamble. Others came to look around. And some people came just to see the Flying Elvi, a team of 10 Elvis Presley-impersonating professional skydivers.
On Thursday March 11, the Tampa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino officially opened its doors to eager crowds wanting to gamble and stay in one of the hotel’s 250 brand new rooms.
Tribal citizens Nicoemus Bilie from Big Cypress and Diane Frank from Hollywood managed to squeeze in a few games in the 90,000-square foot casino before the opening ceremony kicked off. Bilie said that though he was not winning, he noticed others were having a different kind of luck.
“ I see a lot of people winning,” he said.
At about 12 p.m., most people had made their way outside to see the much anticipated Flying Elvi soar through the air at 120 miles per hour, and watch the ceremonial smashing of the guitar, a tradition at the grand opening of Hard Rock hotels.
In addition to these two crowd pleasers, several people responsible for the hotel’s opening also said a few words.
Phil Clemente, Hard Rock CEO, commended the partnership between the Hard Rock Corporation and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Jim Allen, the tribe’s CEO of Gaming, followed. He commended Baltimore-based real estate developers The Cordish Co., as well as the tribe for all their hard work.
“ We believe we’ve achieved our goal,” Allen said. “We wanted a good partnership with contractors, architects, [and] designers.”
David S. Cordish, Co-Owner of The Cordish Co., said key players from the two major gaming markets, Las Vegas and Atlantic City, have called him to congratulate the landmark partnership between his company, the Tribe, and Hard Rock.
“ This is an accomplishment I will remember forever,” Cordish said.
Bobby Henry gave a traditional blessing of the building, and Ernie Stevens, CEO of the National Indian Gaming Committee, told the crowd that Native American casinos have created many jobs and also account for $70 million in charitable donations annually. He also extended a message of congratulations on behalf of all of Indian Country.
Members of the Tribal Council also offered a few words. Most kept their speeches short, but Hollywood Representative Max Osceola managed a few laughs out of the crowd.
“ In 1492 the Indians discovered [Christopher] Columbus,” he said. “In 2004, we want you to discover the Hard Rock.”
“ We had you stretch your necks to see the Flying Elvi,” he added.” Now we want you to stretch your wallets in the casino.”
Tribal President Moses Osceola welcomed his “Miccosukee brethren,” and Chairman Mitchell Cypress said that the casino will be open 24 hours a day for people who get the sudden urge to play some games.
After all the speeches were made, Alan Jumper got to smash the guitar and officially open the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Jim Allen informed the crowd that Jumper would smash the guitar over a piece of memorabilia that use to stand where the hotel now does.
A few years back, before ground was broken on the hotel and casino, a water tower use to be on the land. Allen said that a red arrow went through the tower. When the water tower was removed, construction workers set the arrow aside for the grand opening celebration.
Allen called this a “Seminole twist” to the typical Hard Rock guitar-smashing ceremony.
Following the festivities, many people moved inside to walk around the hotel. Some dined in The Green Tea Room, while others stopped in the Hard Rock Store, where they could buy everything from t-shirts to key chains. A few curious individuals made a quick stop at Body Rock, the hotel’s spa, which features about 20 exercise machines, free weights and spa treatments including massages and facials.
Some visitors stopped at the bar between the main entrance and the casino where they could see rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia including handwritten lyrics to Michael Jackson’s song “Dirty Diana,” and Elvis Presley’s Gold Record for his hit “Blue Hawaii.”
Upon exiting the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a quote from The Eagles’ song “Hotel California” in large letters on the wall summed up what everyone involved with the hotel was hoping guests would feel.
“ You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave,” it said.
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