The Dubuque Racing Association (DRA) Board of Directors approved a proposal Sept. 24 recommending a partnership with PinSeekers to establish a golf entertainment venue on Chaplain Schmitt Island.
“We are thrilled to welcome the PinSeekers brand to Dubuque and Schmitt Island, which represents a big opportunity for DRA and Q Casino + Resort and the entire Dubuque region,” said Alex Dixon, DRA and Q Casino + Resort president and CEO. “PinSeekers is a destination-type facility that offers year-round fun and entertainment for all ages, and it will be a nice complement to the other exciting things we are doing here at Q Casino + Resort and on Schmitt Island. It is the type of attraction that helps drive traffic and it will be a positive addition to the local economy.”
The hybrid-gold entertainment company currently has locations in Tiffin and DeForest, Wisconsin. The proposed Dubuque facility would include a driving range equipped with interactive smart target greens, allowing for year-round, day-and-night use. Additional features of the facility under consideration include:
- 40 all-weather, luxury golf suites
- 18-hole indoor synthetic turf mini-golf course
- TopTracer Technology that tracks every shot and offers all players real-time statistics, as well as multiple games.
- Full Swing Pro Series Simulators featuring more than 30 courses, as well as 13 other interactive game experiences
- Casual restaurant and bar featuring a fresh twist on American classics
- Versatile rooftop lounge and nightclub providing space for live music
- Flexible event and meeting spaces to accommodate a wide range of gatherings
“Dubuque is a great location for opening our third facility, as it is already a community with a strong local base and tourism presence in the tri-state state region,” said Ryan Ranguette, managing partner at PinSeekers. “What we offer fits very well into the city’s long-range plans for the area, so we are excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with the city, as well as DRA and Q Casino + Resort, to make this happen.”
The decision to move forward with a partnership with PinSeekers is part of a broader slate of planned developments for Schmitt Island. These include the construction of the Iowa Amphitheater and the upcoming opening of the Island Social family entertainment area at Q Casino + Resort.
“We are pleased with the DRA Board’s approval of this project and look forward to sharing these plans with the Dubuque City Council and the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission in the coming months,” said Mr. Dixon. “The addition of PinSeekers is aligned with our efforts to truly reshape and reimagine what Schmitt Island has to offer. I am delighted to keep this project moving forward and continuing to share our vision for Schmitt Island to a broader audience, as our intent is to be a catalyst that attracts additional brands and retailers to the area.”
The plan now requires approval from the Dubuque City Council and the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission. Local developer Gronen and DBQ Property Group will serve as the project’s broker, contractor, and design firm. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2025, with an anticipated opening in spring 2026.
