Turning 21 on Friday, the Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino has a brand new look and a new name. In a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon, the Watersmeet, Michigan casino revealed its new name, Northern Waters Casino Resort, and renovations that began in January.
Upgrades were made to the property’s hotel rooms and the casino floor, with the construction of a sports bar and supper club expected to be completed in the next 18 months, according to local news agency WLUC TV6.
Part of an entire weekend of celebratory activities, along with Friday’s grand unveiling guests can look forward to several shows featuring tribute bands, goofy-golf, three-man scramble on Saturday and plenty of activities for the kids on Sunday.
James Williams, tribal chairman for the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, said, “A lot of good things going on for the whole community, not just the adults, but the kids to participate as well,” according to WLUC.
In addition to the Watersmeet facility, two other gaming venues in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are currently undergoing major renovations and an expansion.
The Ojibwa Casino Marquette is in the midst of a $36 million development at its Chocolay Township facility. The long awaited project, located on M-28 near the shores of Lake Superior will see the casino floor double in size; add two signature restaurants, a 76-room hotel and a 1,200 square foot arena.
Meanwhile, its sister property, Ojibwa Casino Baraga, is receiving more than $5 million in infrastructure updates. Located near the intersection of US-41 and M-38, the facility will be adding new heating and cooling units and new active smoke eaters.
Renovations to the Baraga casino are expected to be completed by March 2018, while the Marquette facility is looking to have its expansion and remodel finished in December 2018. The two Northern Michigan casinos are owned and operated by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).