In June of this year, the Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe was able to reach a tentative agreement for a Class III gaming compact with Washington state and eventually approved to offer such gaming. The tribe is now preparing to move forward with resort plans, hoping to have the first of three new hotel towers completed by 2020.
On Monday, tribal officials reported the progress and plans that the tribe is making on their proposed resort. According to Peninsuladailynews.com, the CEO of the tribe, Ron Allen, stated that once the resort is completed, it will be unlike anything that the state has seen. The tribe expects the new property to be a destination resort.
Along with plans to create three hotel towers, the tribe will also be adding a spa, RV park, event center and parking garage. Plans have yet to be revealed as to where each of these options will be placed. According to Allen, the location of additions will be determined based on the first phase’s success as well as the tribe’s on-hand resources.
Currently, the tribe is focusing on creating a five-story tower that will reportedly feature the hotel lobby and 100 guest rooms. Each floor situated above the lobby will have 25 guest rooms. During the first phase, the 100 guest rooms will be completed as well as the expansion of the lobby and parking area.
The tribe operates the 7 Cedars Casino, where the expansions are taking place. The first hotel tower will be placed west of the casino. Construction is expected to begin next year and into 2019 with the first hotel tower completed by the summer of 2020. The goal is to have the first hotel open six weeks prior to Memorial Day weekend of that year.
According to Allen, the tribe is working to design the first phase for the hotel and will hopefully have renderings that can be shown to the public in the next two to three months. Plans are also in the works to consolidate the gaming venue as well as add more gaming machines. The casino currently has 600 machines and should increase this amount to 750 over time.
Allen stated further that the project should have a minimum of five phases and there is no exact timeline for completion as of yet. However, he did say that a 10-year time frame would be the goal. The end result will be a 4-star experience according to Allen and it is believed that as much as $22 million will be spent on the project.
When the amendment to the tribe’s gaming compact was made recently, the tribe was given approval to operate a second gaming venue. At this point, the tribe does not have plans to add a second casino.