BINGO WORLD PLANS TO OPEN IN FALL

Construction of new bingo parlor has been put on "fast-track" status when footings and foundation work start at the site today.

Bingo World, the city's first bingo hall, is looking to an early September opening at 823 N. Clark, on a plot of ground just south of the Cape Girardeau Senior Center.

"We'd like to see it open by the time the Southeast Missouri District Fair opens in Arena Park," said Tom Reinagel, of the Clark Street Development Project, a not-for-profit group heading up the new hall.

"We already have three groups signed up to use the hall," said Reinagel

They are:

* Elks 639, on Tuesdays

* Notre Dame Home and School Association, Wednesdays.

* Notre Dame Boosters Club, Saturdays.

The groups which have agreed to leases are meeting at the Arena Building now. They previously met in a vacant grocery store building in the Town Plaza Shopping Center.

"We may have it leased out by the time we open," said Reinagel. "We are talking with some other groups."

An Army Reserve unit, the 348th Group, a new reserve engineer unit, has leased the shopping center building for a training facility.

Seating for 1,180

Bingo World, a 20,000-square-foot building, will seat more than 1,180 people.

The building also includes offices, concessions stands and bathroom facilities. The area also has plenty of parking spaces.

The building will be divided into smoking and non-smoking sections, said Reinagel.

The new bingo facility has the approval of the nearby senior center.

"We see no problem with it," said Susan McClanahan, senior center administrator. "Bingo games are mostly played during the late evening and night. We're usually gone by then."