Severson Dells Nature Center and Hard Rock Casino Rockford are each considering purchasing portions of the former Elliot Golf Course, shown on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford said it still has interest in acquiring a portion of the former Elliot Golf Course in hopes it could one day be used in a way that compliments the entertainment offerings at its casino.

The Rockford Park District shuttered the 220-acre course at 888 S. Lyford Road as a cost-cutting measure at the end of 2020, and it put the course up for sale in 2022. Last month, commissioners with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County learned Severson Dells Nature Center was considering using part of the land and the clubhouse for a future education center.

Hard Rock hopes it can obtain a slice of the course along Lyford Road, which is adjacent to where the 180,000-square-foot casino and entertainment venue is being built at Interstate 90 and East State Street.

“We are in ongoing discussions with the Park District and Severson Dells,” Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Rockford, said in an interview last week. “Hopefully it can all work out for everybody involved and we’re able to acquire some additional acreage on Lyford Road.”

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A limited liability corporation tied to Dan Fischer, the lead investor in the Rockford casino project, owns a 24-acre parcel that wraps around the Mobil gas station and Days Inn at the southeast corner State and Lyford. That land touches the golf course property and could help the casino extend its footprint.

The casino doesn’t have firm plans for the property.

“The overall goal is anything we do in that corridor right there — we want it to be complimentary to the casino and ultimately drive additional visitation to the casino,” Iafrate said.

The Park District has deed restrictions that says the land can’t be a golf course or water park.

Severson Dells has expressed interest in the clubhouse at Elliot, which is currently being leased by Hard Rock for training and employee parking, and other acreage of the golf course. It started considering that move because of a dispute with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County over its operating agreement. That agreement was terminated last year and Severson Dells is now leasing its space in the forest preserves.

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There’s no timeline for when the casino or Severson hopes to make a decision on a purchase. However, legislation that was passed to allow for the former golf course’s sale sunsets on Jan. 1, 2025.

“There’s so many different possibilities, we’re just not at a point in that process to say anything is even remotely firm,” Iafrate said. “The first step is to secure some additional acreage of Lyford Road frontage.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas