Cherokee Casino To Open Monday

Contracts for water, sewer, fire complete

Last updated Thursday, November 6, 2008 10:01 PM CST in News

By Bob Caudle
THE MORNING NEWS

The exterior facing U.S. 412 features man-made rocks and will eventually be a six-story waterfall with a "simulated" flame on top. The waterfall will have a runoff stream that flows through to the main casino entry.

Water, which is a theme throughout the casino, also was somewhat of a stumbling block in expanding the casino.

West Siloam Springs purchases its water and sewer service from Siloam Springs. Because of the higher use of volume, the two cities had to negotiate contracts for water, sewer, fire service and ambulance service.

"I understand most of those are taken care of," Bruer said.

Every contract has been signed except for ambulance service, according to David Cameron, city administrator for Siloam Springs.

"We just signed the fire deal today (Thursday)," Cameron said. "We'll be the secondary response department with West Siloam, of course, being the first."

Cameron said water, sewer and now fire are all under contract.

"Our city board has already approved an ambulance contract," Cameron said. "I think they're (West Siloam Springs council) going to look at it next week."

Bruer said Cherokee Nation Enterprises has its own first responder unit at each property.

That will be important, because Phase II of the project is construction of a six-story hotel.

"We theme all our buildings by picking out a time frame out of Cherokee history," Bruer said. "This one is from the time period from 1780 to 1830, just prior to the Trail of Tears. It was a lush, thriving time for the Cherokee."

The thriving time is back, at least in the West Siloam Springs area.

Once everything is open, the property will employ about 1,000 people, be open 24-7 and have entertainment five nights per week.

In the meantime, there are between 200 to 300 construction workers on-site throughout the day.

"A lot of them have actually relocated here," Bruer said. "We have a big economic impact. We're usually somewhere first, then other hotels and restaurants follow. We don't mind it, though."

Once completed, the casino and hotel will have more than 80,000 square feet of gaming space that includes 1,200 electronic games and 22 poker and table games.

The property will feature a buffet and 24-hour full-service cafe, a steakhouse with 150 seats and a 240-seat entertainment area with a bar, stage and dance floor.

The hotel will have 140 rooms and suites, a meeting area with banquet space, food court with brand-name eateries and a bakery and coffee shop.

The hotel part of the expansion is set to begin in December and is scheduled for completion in mid-2009.

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