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Four Winds Casino

On a $350M, 900,000 SF build, finishing control and long-term performance were non-negotiable. The E5® system helped keep the slab workable in challenging conditions, reduced steps on site, and delivered durable surface protection for a high-traffic destination.

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Project Snapshot

  • Location: South Bend, Indiana

  • Project Size: 900,000 SF

  • Project Value: $350 Million

  • Architect: HBG Design

  • Engineer: Wightman and Associates

  • General Contractor: Wilhelm Construction

  • Products Used: E5® Internal Cure, E5® Liquid Fly Ash, E5® Protect

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About Four Wind Casinos

Four Winds Casinos is a regional gaming and entertainment brand operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The organization manages full-scale casino resorts that combine gaming, dining, live entertainment, and hospitality—facilities that operate with high daily foot traffic and demanding back-of-house service needs.

Because these venues run nearly nonstop, the built environment has to perform like a long-term asset. From guest-facing concourses to operational areas supporting food service, storage, and continuous movement of equipment, the reliability and durability of the facility’s concrete surfaces directly affects maintenance requirements, operating continuity, and the overall guest experience.

The Challenge

Large, high-traffic facilities amplify the risks of inconsistent finishability, weather-driven placement issues, and long-term surface degradation. When crews lose the finishing window or have to add steps to compensate, it can quickly increase labor demands, extend schedules, and create variability across the slab.

In addition, long-term operational performance matters for owners and tenants. Surface wear, salt intrusion, and weather-related degradation can drive higher maintenance costs and disrupt the intended experience of the facility over time.

Primary Challenges:

  • Maintaining workability and finishing control despite less-than-ideal weather conditions

  • Reducing labor intensity and manpower requirements during finishing

  • Avoiding unnecessary sealers, cures, and mitigation steps that add time and cost

  • Delivering surface protection to help guard against salt intrusion and weather-driven degradation

The E5 Solution

E5® technology supported finishing crews by helping the slab remain workable under challenging conditions and reducing the need for typical add-on steps. The approach focused on internal curing performance paired with surface protection, supporting both construction execution and long-term durability.

By using E5® as a system, the project combined internal curing benefits with a protective surface treatment. The outcome was a more efficient finishing process and a performance profile aligned with the long-term needs of a high-traffic entertainment environment.

Key Outcomes:

  • Improved finishing control and maintained workability in difficult conditions

  • Reduced manpower needs compared to typical jobs

  • Eliminated common extra steps (as referenced by the project team), supporting faster execution

  • Added surface protection to help defend against salt intrusion and weather degradation

Products Used

Built-In Performance: The E5® System Behind the Results. This project’s outcomes weren’t accidental—they were engineered into the slab. By pairing the right admixtures and surface systems, we delivered internal curing, faster access, and a harder, more resilient finish that stands up to real-world demands.

 
 

E5® Internal Cure

A core admixture used to support internal curing performance and help crews maintain finishing control. The project team reported the slab remained workable even in less-than-desired weather conditions and required less manpower than typical jobs.


E5® Internal Cure

E5® Liquid Fly Ash

Used as part of the project’s E5® system to support mix performance and durability objectives. This component complements internal curing strategies and helps deliver consistent results at scale.

 

E5® Liquid Fly Ash

E5® Protect

A topical protection component used alongside internal curing to help guard the finished surface against salt intrusion and weather-related degradation. This supports long-term performance and reduced maintenance demands for owners and tenants.

 

E5® Protect

$350M

Total project value for a major destination build.

900,000 Sq ft

Total facility footprint requiring consistent slab performance at scale.

Schedule / Process Needs

Execution efficiency was a priority—especially given the scale of placement and the realities of field conditions. The team benefited from a system that reduced extra steps and helped crews maintain control during finishing, supporting a smoother workflow and time savings during construction.

Performance Needs

The slab needed to maintain a reliable finishing window and deliver a durable surface suitable for long-term, high-traffic use. The project also required performance characteristics that would help protect the finished concrete from common sources of degradation, including salt intrusion and harsh environmental exposure over time.

Project Overview

Four Winds Casino is a large-scale, high-profile build where slab performance impacts both construction execution and long-term facility operations. With extensive square footage and high expectations for durability and maintainability, the project required a system that supported finishing crews while contributing to long-term surface performance.

How E5 Elevated Performance

The E5® system supported the construction team by improving finishing control and keeping the slab workable despite challenging weather conditions. The project team highlighted reduced manpower needs compared to typical jobs, as well as avoided steps and materials commonly associated with traditional approaches.

By pairing internal curing with surface protection, the system helped align construction efficiency with long-term durability. This combination supports owners and tenants through reduced maintenance demands and protection against common degradation drivers such as salt intrusion and weather exposure.

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