The Greene County junior class is already planning the 2016 prom with a “Wizard of Oz” theme, but it’s not known where the Emerald City will be. The students hope it will be in the Greene Room Events Center at Wild Rose Casino.
Holding prom at Wild Rose, at least the first time, isn’t much easier than getting into the Emerald City on the first knock. Teresa Green, junior class sponsor, explained to the board of education last week that when she contacted Wild Rose for information, she was asked to first verify with the board that it was okay for her to talk with them. The other Wild Rose locations, Clinton and Emmetsburg, do not allow proms. Before Wild Rose officials held their own discussion of a high school prom on casino property, they wanted an assurance (apparently) that the board wouldn’t nix the idea.
“It’s what the kids want,” Green told the board, and she said she sees no disadvantages to hold prom at the Greene Room.
Green said the extra cost of the Greene Room would be offset by money saved by not renting and decorating for the prom banquet at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall and then prom at the Elks lodge. The cost of the meal would be more per student, but Green said the junior class treasury could cover part of the additional cost. With all things considered, it might not cost much more to have prom at the casino. She added that it has always been a challenge for parents who help with the banquet to see the grand march, and that having the banquet at the casino would eliminate that stress.
Shannon Hansen, chair of the prom banquet, was also at the meeting. She said she’s concerned that the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall won’t be large enough for the 2016 banquet. It was crowded last year with 199 attendees and they’re expecting more this year due to larger class sizes.
The entrance to the actual casino is secure, so there would be no chance students would have access to gambling. Green pointed out that with the security cameras at Wild Rose, prom would be more secure than it has been at the Elks lodge.
The students’ hope, Green said, is to have the banquet at Wild Rose, have a grand march on the courthouse square, return to Wild Rose for prom, and then have the after prom party at the middle school.
“The question at this point is ‘Is it OK if we go to the casino? What does the community say?” Green asked.
The board did not object to Green discussing plans with Wild Rose planners. However, board member Sam Harding said that if or when it comes to a board vote, he will vote against it. “A casino is not an appropriate venue,” he said.
