34 Indian Gaming May 2007

OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS

The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate has completed the first twophases of a multi-phase expansion project at Dakota SiouxCasino six miles north of Watertown, South Dakota. The costof the first phase of the expansion is $24,000,000 and includes a5 story, 92-room hotel, 53,000 sq. ft. gaming facility with buffet,lounge, deli and gift shop/art gallery.

Dakota Sioux will benefit from the addition of a small hoteland improved gaming facilities. However, with the plannedaddition of more slot machines, the tribe intends to continue theexpansion with a 24,000 sq. ft. concert hall that will enable thebooking of national performers. The concert hall will providebenefit to both the Dakota Sioux consumers and the citizens ofSouth Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota who have nocurrent avenue to access such high quality performers. Additionalplans are to add an indoor waterpark and a 24 -36 lane bowlingcenter that will allow for regional tournaments and othercompetition.

This expansion as designed, assuming approval of the increasein slot machines, will be one of the largest economic development,tourism development and construction projects in Northeast SouthDakota in many years and is projected to create over 571 jobs inthe region. The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate is committed toimproving the quality of life in Northeast South Dakota andreinvests virtually all of its profits into the region.

Dakota Sioux Casino Completes First Two Phases of Expansion

The newly built Northern Winz Casino first opened itsdoors to its Chippewa Cree tribal members in February. Tribalmembers were the first to experience the 20,000 sq. ft.gaming floor, which includes 350 Class II slot machines, 10Class III slot machines, the Starlight Steakhouse and Café,Rattlesnake Bob's Sports Bar, Cubby's Den Poker Room,Winz Players Club, and Gift shop. Nearly 1,000 tribalmembers were present for the casino's blessing of thebuilding by a tribal elder, ribbon cutting, fireworks display,and opening address by the Chippewa Cree BusinessCommittee Chairman John “Chance” Houle. The casinoofficially opened its doors to the public on April 22.

Northern Winz Casino Opens

Eagle Falls Golf Course Now Open At Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Eagle Falls Golf Course, the latest creative masterpiece of

noted golf course architect and La Quinta resident Clive Clark,is now open for public play at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

“Eagle Falls is uniquely suited for the advanced player aswell as offering a challenging and friendly golfing experiencefor the average player,” said Willie Maples, Eagle FallsDirector of Golf Operations.

Owned and operated by the Cabazon Band of MissionIndians, the 18-hole, Par 72 championship course measures 6,715yards from the eagle tees with a United States Golf Associationand Southern California Golf Association course rating of 72.8and a slope of 133. Opening green fees are $95 Monday throughThursday and $115 Friday through Sunday and holidays.

From the floor of the desert, Clark, a player on theEuropean PGA Tour and a former Ryder Cup player, hassculptured elevated tees and greens, undulating fairways,strategic bunkering, five large beautiful lakes, two dramatic

waterfalls and running water features not usually found ona course open to the general public.

Eagle Falls is Clark's 30th course and joins the “Clive”course at The Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta and the newWest Course at The Golf Resort at Indian Wells.

May 2007 Indian Gaming 35

The new MGM Grand at Foxwoods, set to open in theSpring of 2008, recently celebrated a significant constructionmilestone with a special "topping-off" ceremony. "I watchedas my grandmother, Phyllis Waite, pushed the federalgovernment to recognize us as a tribe and how she called forour people to come back home,” said Michael Thomas, TribalChief. “I watched as my mother, Ruth Thomas, and the otherfour members of the tribal council fought Connecticut forour right to establish a full casino. I am proud to be part ofthe third generation and continue the vision."

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal leaders and executives fromFoxwoods and Perini Building Company joined the hard-working construction team to mark the milestone, as well asdiscuss the project and future vision for the MGM Grand atFoxwoods. A brand-new virtual tour of the facility wasunveiled and made available to the media as well."Anniversaries are so often all about pomp and circumstance,”said John O'Brien, President of Foxwoods. “While that iscertainly fun to be part of a festive celebration, we wantedto be sure to recognize this milestone with something ofsubstance that would also be lasting, meaningful andsupportive of the communities that surround us."

This historic occasion marked the point between ground-breaking and ribbon cutting when the highest structuralelement of the MGM Grand at Foxwoods was ready to becompleted. When the last steel beam was cabled to the crane,the workers signed it in gold pen. It's a tradition that dates backto 700 A.D., when Europeans topped-off construction of newhalls for good luck. "It's so unbelievable,” said RichardSebastian, Tribal Elder. “I don't think anyone, includingprofessionals in the industry, thought Foxwoods could be No.1 in the country. It was beyond my vision at the time."

MGM Grand at Foxwoods Reaches Construction Milestone with “Topping Off” Ceremony

36 Indian Gaming May 2007

The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency of theDepartment of Health and Human Services, held a formaldedication of the new Four Corners Regional Health Centerin Red Mesa, Arizona, in April.

“The services this new facility will provide to over 11,000Navajos and other beneficiaries residing in the Four Corners

Region will help address some of the enormous unmet healthneeds in Indian Country," said Dr. Charles W. Grim, IHSDirector. “The Indian Health Service is proud of this newfacility, which serves beneficiaries in the states of Arizona, NewMexico, Utah, and Colorado.”

The new 118,005 sq. ft. regional health center will supporta comprehensive outpatient health care program with a fullrange of ambulatory care, community health, mental health,dental, associated support services, and Navajo tribal healthprograms. It will replace a 5,520 sq. ft. IHS health station inTeec Nos Pos, Arizona.

The new regional health center has a 24-hour emergencyroom and a six-bed short stay nursing unit. This facility wasbuilt to house a total staff of 249 full-time employees, whichincludes 37 tribally funded positions. Along with this new facility,93 new staff housing units have been built.

OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS

Indian Health Service Dedicates New Regional Health Center in Red Mesa, Arizona

Chukchansi GoldResort & Casinorecently opened theCentral Valley's pre-mier high limit slotarea, The Summit.The summit is part ofChukchansi Gold'songoing expansionplan aimed at enhanc-ing guests' experienceat the casino. Thisadditional 2,150 sq. ft.of gaming is a privatehigh limit slot area

equipped with over 40 gaming machines with minimum betsranging from $1 to $100.

To celebrate The Summit's grand opening, Chukchansi goldinvited six representatives from local non-profits to compete ita video poker slot tournament for cash prizes ranging from $1,000to $10,000, giving away nearly $30,000 in cash. “At ChukchansiGold Resort and Casino our goal is to provide our guests witha total experience in entertainment,” said General ManagerJeff Livington. “Adding The Summit to the extensive anddiverse list of entertainment we offer at Chukchansi is justanother way for us to add a 'wow' factor to our facility.

The Summit is open to everyone and is located just off themain hotel lobby entrance. The Summit provides a private,full service experience where guests can enjoy flat screen tele-visions, compli-mentary concierge services and high limitgaming. Gamers in The Summit can also enjoy complimen-tary beverages and snacks as well as 24-hour delivery service,brought straight to the player, from any of the casino's sevenrestaurants.

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino Opens The Summit

Pechanga Resort & Casino recently opened its new $14million Jade Salon, a 16,000 sq. ft. luxury gaming area. JadeSalon will add 21 high-stakes table games and two exquisiteBaccarat salons to its existing high-limit gaming area with 235slot machines.

“We have put the finishing touches on the Jade Salon,” saidJohn James, Pechanga General Manager. “It will provide ourguests, who enjoy high stakes games, the privacy, luxury andservice that they will not find anywhere in California.”

In the Jade Salon, guests can play Blackjack, Pai-Gow Pokerand Midi-Baccarat at tables set amid luxury styling. The two sep-arate lounges are reserved for Big Baccarat. All of the Jade Salon’stable games have $100 table game minimums. Upscale accessoriesand personal attention distinguish the Jade Salon, James said. Butler service is available as is a private dining lounge.

Pechanga Opens New Luxury Jade Salon

May 2007 Indian Gaming 37

The Lodge at Feather Falls Casino OpensNestled in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills, just

minutes from the state recreational area of Lake Oroville, isThe Lodge at Feather Falls Casino. The Lodge at Feather FallsCasino offers views of the foothills and local landmark, TableMountain, from many rooms.

"We are very proud of our hotel," said Ed Gilbert, Directorof Marketing. "We didn't want to do what others have donewith the Vegas look, we tried to stay with the traditional Nativeways and be part of Mother Earth. The Lodge at Feather FallsCasino accomplishes that very important Native need; to bepart of the surrounding lands."

The Lodge at Feather Falls Casino includes a state of theart fitness room, a unique indoor/outdoor heated pool, a hottub and sauna. Guest rooms feature coffee makers, refrigerators,microwave ovens, free internet access and in-room safes.

The suites offer a kitchenette with a curved granite counterand bar stools. The mini kitchen has a flat-screen television,one of four TVs in the suite. A 42-inch television sits in theliving room where a double-sided fireplace also opens into thebedroom. Light filters through a skylight over the king size bed.The bathroom offers a Jacuzzi tub and large shower with twoshower heads. All the rooms have Felicity Pillow Top Beds,which are luxurious comfort beds. The beds are dressed with

fine Egyptian linen cotton sheets.The Casino offers entertainment in the lounge Wednesday

through Saturday and big-name entertainment on the weekends.Banquets and special events are also catered on the casino side.Special mid-week rates run Sunday through Thursday. TheLodge will be offering many special getaway packages forweekend trips and special holidays. ¨