The Iron Horse Casino & Restaurant fashions a new look these days.

New paints, colors and textures grace the interior of the 12,100-square-foot facility on 15th Street Northeast. Coupled with significant security improvements, the $500,000 remodeling effort brings new life to the casino.

Employees, management and ownership joined Mayor Pete Lewis and Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce members with a grand re-opening on Thursday afternoon.

“We thought this would be the right time to freshen it up,” said owner Chris Kealy. “We liked being a card room. We are proud of what we are. It’s a fun place to hang out in Auburn.”

The casino features 10 gaming tables, five poker tables and other gaming opportunities – from pool to pull tabs. The casino hosts popular poker and blackjack tournaments throughout the year, including regular blackjack tournaments on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

The casino also features the historic and popular Steiner Diner with a grand menu, and a separate ’50s-style diner noted for award-winning breakfasts, in addition to a sports bar and outdoor back patio.

The Iron Horse Casino, established in 2001, employs 171 full- and part-time workers.

For more information, visit www.ironhorsecasinos.net.