With hundreds of construction workers, local and state officials, and other dignitaries looking on the final piece of steel was put in place Wednesday morning on the MGM resort casino that is being built in downtown Springfield.Ī steel ring, painted white and autographed by workers and invited guests, adorned with an evergreen tree, the American flag, and several banners was hoisted atop what will be the casino hotel rotunda.Īs the final piece of steel was set in place an air horn blared and people on the ground applauded and cheered.įiorre Grassetti, business agent for Ironworkers Union Local 7 and president of the Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council, said the “topping-off” is an ironworkers’ tradition, but Wednesday’s ceremony was a salute to all the more than 1,100 people who have had a hand so far in building the casino. A milestone was marked and a labor union tradition honored today during the construction of the first casino in western Massachusetts.
