June 24, 2015—The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians announced approval for a planned casino to be located in Mackinaw City, Michigan. The Odawa tribe plans to create a 5,000 square foot casino. The groundbreaking is set to happen in September 2015 with completion by May 2016. There are also plans to add an RV park, along with 130 hotel rooms. The Class III gaming compact the tribe holds authorizes the Odawa tribe to build two casinos; however, local approval is required. While the tribe has approved the plans, they must wait for Mackinaw City to approve the casino plans, according to MLive.

Chair Regina Gasco-Bentley stated, “We have always intended to develop the land, but the timing and the exact plan for the casino haven’t been right until now.”

The tribe owns land, which was once the Thunder Falls Family Water Park. They purchased the land in 2012. The council’s approval for $3.2 million to fund the new build will allow construction to begin. The entire complex is expected to take five years, once city approval is given.

The Odawa Indians also have one casino in operation in Michigan, located in Petoskey. The Odawa Casino Resort is about 39 miles away from the site they plan to build the casino, RV Park and hotel.