The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) organization of the Federation Of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) has filed a planning application for its proposed casino in the Canadian city of Lloydminster.

The group received conditional approval for the new $20 million casino from the Saskatchewan Liquor And Gaming Authority last month and has now asked Lloydminster officials for a discretionary use of land permit so that the venue may be built inside the city’s limits.

Saskatchewan is home to eight casinos and this latest would sit near the provincial border with Alberta and offer four to five gaming tables alongside approximately 250 gaming machines. Tribal officials revealed that the planned development could additionally feature a 250-room hotel as well as a 1,500-seat convention center.

The planning application is now set to undergo a two-week public review process before a general report is prepared that will then be considered by the city council.

“The city will gather any concerns that come forward in these days, review them and answer them the best we can and get back to the concerned,” Terry Burton, the city’s Planning And Development Director, told the Lloydminster Meridian Booster.

SIGA, which has more than 1,800 employees with 65% being First Nations people, currently operates six casinos in Saskatchewan with venues in Prince Albert, North Battleford, Yorkton, Swift Current, Dakota Dunes and on the White Bear First Nation reserve near Carlyle. The provincial government runs sites in Regina and Moose Jaw while the Little Pine First Nation and Onion Lake Cree Nation have recently expressed involvement and support for the planned Lloydminster development.

“SIGA casinos have a reputation for creating jobs and supporting surrounding developments that benefit both First Nations and non-First Nations alike,” Heather Bear, Vice-Chief for the FSIN, told the newspaper.

Burton stated that it is unclear as to when city officials will receive his department’s general report as the final deadline is to depend on the volume and types of questions asked.

“At this point in time it is undetermined as to when this may be coming to council for their consideration,” said Burton.