Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation plan ground breaking for new casino

In Arizona, the federally recognized Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation plan to break ground on their multi-million dollar Fort McDowell Casino on June 29 at 9am. Tribal members and dignitaries from within the state and surrounding areas are expected to attend the event.

The new 166,341-square-foot casino is expected to open by spring 2020 and in addition to the larger gaming floor, will feature specialty high end dining, a garden court, and a sports bar, complete with live entertainment stage along with other amenities. The project team includes Thalden Boyd Emery Architects, W.E. O’Neil, and Kitchell Construction, according to the press release.

The tribe’s existing casino, which features 150,000 square feet of gaming space with 23 table games, including a 10-table poker room and a 1200 seat Bingo Hall, will reportedly remain open during construction. The current casino will also remain in place after the new facility has opened and is reportedly to be used for a purpose that has yet to be announced.

Located adjacent to the current casino is the tribe’s 246-room Wekopa Resort and Conference Center, which offers five dining options, a bar/lounge, spa and other amenities.

The ongoing mission of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is to expand direct services and aid in economic development to meet the changing needs of every tribal member while maintaining traditional values and benefiting and supporting its greater East Valley and Scottsdale area neighbors.

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council President, Bernadine Burnette, said in the press release, “We break ground on Friday, June 29th 2018 on a new casino and open a new chapter in the modern history of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Our tribe has overcome many challenges just to be here today. Our path has been difficult, but the obstacles we’ve endured have only made us stronger. We may be the smallest tribe in the Valley, but we built the first high stakes bingo hall in the Phoenix area three decades ago and today we are taking another huge leap forward. This exciting project will set a new standard for quality entertainment in the Northeast Valley while providing economic security to our tribal government. We’re thankful that our past success enables us to make this investment in the future of our tribe and our region.”

The 950-member Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s 40-square mile reservation is located to the northeast of Phoenix within Maricopa County, Arizona. Its current enterprises include the Fort McDowell Casino, the Wekopa Resort and Conference Center, the Poco Diablo hotel, the Wekopa Golf Course, and Fort McDowell Adventures.