36 AUGUST 2018 • FOGHORN MEMBERNEWS Earlier this summer, a large barge that was once part of a floating complex that housed theArgosy Casino in Sioux City, Iowa, IA traveled up river from Wood River, IL to Covington, KY, a 700-mile trip that took about 10 days to complete. BB Riverboats, Newport, KY, which operates riverboat excursions on the Ohio River, purchased the barge and towed it to Northern Kentucky, where it will be converted into a new event facility, catering operation, wharf, and business offices. “This barge is three times the size of our existing facility moored on the Newport riverfront,” said Capt. Alan Bernstein, owner of BB Riverboats. The barge, which measures 300 feet in length and 54 feet in width, will replace BB Riverboats’ current facility. “We’ve outgrown our existing facility, which has been in operation since 1984, and with a new generation of our family actively involved in the business, we decided it was time to expand, update, and rebrand our operations to create new excitement and enthusiasm in BB Riverboats.” Prior to BB Riverboats purchasing BB Riverboats Expands, Adds Former Casino Barge for Reception Center, and Wharf Facility the barge, it was stored for nearly four years in an Illinois shipyard. Two towboats guided the barge down the Mississippi River and up the Ohio River to its temporary construction site in Covington, Kentucky. B B R i v e r b o a t s w i l l s p e n d approximately $2 million to retrofit and rebrand the barge while it is moored on the Covington riverfront over the summer. The Cincinnati Business Courier reported that the expansion could add as many as 25 new jobs. Construction work is expected to start upon its arrival in Covington and will likely take about six months to complete. In January, the barge will be moved to its permanent location on Riverboat Row in Newport where it will replace BB Riverboats’ current floating facility. When construction is complete, the barge will house a state- of-the-art event facility with a full bar and a new kitchen to serve another of the Bernstein’s businesses, Current Catering. In addition, the barge will house BB Riverboats’ reservations center, executive offices, and vessel operations. The new event center will seat as many as 200 people and will feature an outdoor, wrap-around deck that will offer guests a spectacular view of the Cincinnati skyline. “The new event facility will give our customers a unique experience,” Bernstein said. “Much like our river cruises, the event facility will offer fabulous river views as well as the outstanding food and customer service that our customers have come to expect on our cruises and in our catering operations.” n Rendering of BB Riverboats redesigned barge.