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[Note: This material is copyright by The Gazette, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of The Gazette.]

    ‘‘We have a lot going on here, but we are going to meet our opening schedule,’’ said Joe Massa, general manager of Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, located about 15 miles south of Iowa City.

    After about a year of construction, the $135 million casino is to open to the public at 9 p.m. Aug. 31 after a private party for about 700 investors and others involved in development.

    Massa said Tom Arnold, an Iowa native, will perform on opening night and Jay Leno will appear two weeks later, on Sept. 16.

    The gaming floor is almost complete, with nearly 1,200 slot machines ready for customers. The casino will have 24 table games and a 14-table poker room.

    The resort includes a 200-room hotel, several restaurants, a spa, an events center and, opening next summer, an 18-hole golf course.

    Orientation for some of the casino’s 850 employees began Monday.

    Officials moved into their offices over the weekend after the casino received its occupancy permit from the state Friday afternoon.