As the coast rebuilds after Hurricane Katrina, The Crescent City School of Gaming and Bartending has reopened to train workers for the casino industry.
Casino companies are in a fast paced rebuilding, expansion and new resort plans so they can open will be open by December 31, 2008. Hurricane Katrina had left 17,000 jobless resort workers, including card dealers, but within the next three years the number of employment opportunities could potentially double.
Next month, the Beau Rivage and Grand Casino Biloxi will open and there is already a high demand for craps dealers and floor supervisors. As the Island View, the Silver Slipper and Hollywood casinos open; more blackjack dealers and bartenders will be needed. At the end of this year, employment is expected to reach 12,000. Plus, there are plans for brand new properties in DeLisle, Diamondhead, Biloxi and D'Iberville.
After its operation in downtown Gulfport was destroyed, the Crescent City School moved to Oak Street in Biloxi.
The school opened last week and is leasing its location in Biloxi. The school, after leasing land in Gulfport for years, bought property of its own in that city, that it renovated a little over a year before Katrina hit.
The Biloxi school already accommodates more than 30 students being taught day and night. Since Katrina, Crescent City has opened a school in Tunica and has plans to reopen its Louisiana school in the Elmwood area of Jefferson within two months.
According to Ricky Richard, one of the owners of the family-held business, one thing he does know is that people still want to work in casinos. Richard lost his home in West Gulfport, relocated to Las Vegas, where the family also has a school. Although many people want to take the three-month course in table games, Richard believes they should learn more than just blackjack dealing and parlor games.
Monday, August 14 , 2006
Tim Arnell