54 Indian Gaming July 2017

OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS

Island Resort and Casino, the esteemed, multi-amenityvacation destination located in Harris, MI, recently unveiledits lobby renovation, the latest in a series of enhancementsdesigned to further elevate the guest experience.

The sleek, contemporary design impresses guests from themoment they enter the resort. “The upgraded lobby reflectsour commitment to providing an outstanding guest visit andsets the tone for the pleasure to come,” says Tony Mancilla,Island Resort and Casino General Manager. “Our award-winning casino, spa, showroom and golf amenities are now complemented by an equally impressive vestibule.”

Adjacent to the stylish new lobby is the recently revampedParadise Bay Gift Shop. The expanded retail area features genuine Native American craft items, local products, apparel,glassware, candles, jewelry and more.

Island Resort and Casino recently revealed the luxuriousDrift Spa and will soon unveil Sage Run, its second PaulAlbanese-designed golf course.

The Tohono O’odham GamingEnterprise (TOGE) recentlyannounced that it will break groundbefore the end of the year on a majorexpansion to its Desert DiamondCasino – West Valley near Glendale, AZ. Construction isexpected to last 20 months. Once it iscomplete, the facility will haveexpanded into a full-scale casino andresort with a larger gaming floor, fiverestaurants, bars, Class III games, tablegames and other amenities. The exist-ing casino will remain open through-out the construction.

TOGE first opened the doors ofDesert Diamond Casino – West Valley in December 2015 and hasexperienced strong success. That interim facility employsnearly 600 people and currently offers guests 1,089 Class II gaming devices on a 35,000 sq. ft. gaming floor.

The expansion will offer a multitude of new entertainmentoptions to guests. The full-scale property will occupy over onemillion sq. ft., including five restaurants and 75,000 sq. ft. ofcasino floor with 1,089 Class III slots, live poker, blackjack, andbingo. Once completed, the fully built-out casino will createover 3,000 new jobs in the West Valley.

Andy Asselin, CEO of the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise said, “We are very excited to be moving forward with

a world-class resort and casino that will offer a wide range ofnew amenities to our guests and create opportunity for the WestValley. This has been a long time coming, and we will continueto work with the community to ensure that construction proceeds smoothly.”

Edward Manuel, Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nationsaid, “With this announcement we are moving forward withour promise to create new jobs and positive economic oppor-tunity for members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, the WestValley and the citizens of Arizona. This beautiful new facilitywill be a positive economic engine for decades to come.”

$400 Million Desert Diamond Casino West Valley to Break Ground Before End of Year

Island Resort and Casino Unveils Stylish, Guest Friendly Lobby Renovation

July 2017 Indian Gaming 55

After several months of renovations, Mystic Lake CasinoHotel in Prior Lake, MN, recently unveiled Club M, a first-of-its-kind experience center for loyalty members. Inspired byguest-centric retailers such as the Apple Store, the 3,000 sq. ft.space is counter-free, wall-free, and barrier-free – creating awarm and inviting experience for casino guests.

Club M features enrollment and card reprint kiosks, whereguests can reprint or sign up for Club M cards without waiting in line. It also has promotional kiosks that allow gueststo participate in the promotions and giveaways that Mystic Lakeregularly offers. Club M also serves as a convenient locationfor guests to pick up gifts during one of Mystic Lake’s manygiveaways. Click here to see a photo of the newly-renovatedClub M.

“Club M reflects the modern era of customer service, whereall guests feel welcome and receive fast service. The idea is toget our team members out from behind the counter and inter-acting with guests as they would with a friend or colleague,”said Alison Fogarty, Vice President of Marketing at Mystic

Lake Casino Hotel. “When guests visit Club M, they will begreeted by employees armed with tablet computers and readyto assist.”

Club M is a free loyalty program for guests of Mystic LakeCasino Hotel. Members earn rewards for having fun at Mystic Lake’s amenities – including lodging, dining, gaming,and entertainment – and receive perks like hotel stays, discounts,and meals. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is the only full-serviceresort in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area.

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Unveils New Member Experience Center

56 Indian Gaming July 2017

OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS

The Howard Hughes Corporation recently hosted agroundbreaking ceremony headlined by Nevada GovernorBrian Sandoval to mark the beginning of construction on a180,000 sq. ft. build-to-suit campus in the Summerlin, NVmaster-planned community for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.

Aristocrat’s new Summerlin campusallows the company to consolidate several of its Las Vegas facilities in onelocation and will eventually house morethan 600 employees upon completionin late 2018. The relocation is in linewith a growing corporate trend to locateworkplaces closer to communities, boosting quality of life and providingemployees with access to more nearbyamenities. In Summerlin, this includesparks, golf courses, walking trails and

Downtown Summerlin, located just minutes from the newAristocrat campus.

The project architect is Ed Vance & Associates Architects;interior architect is HOK; and the general contractor is Martin-Harris Construction. ®

Groundbreaking Held for New Aristocrat Technologies Campus in Summerlin, NV

L-R (front row): Kevin Orrock, Howard HughesCorporation Summerlin President; Susan Brager,Clark County Commissioner; Matt Wilson,Aristocrat Americas Managing Director; BrianSandoval, Nevada Governor; Mark Dunn,Aristocrat Executive Vice President & GeneralCounsel; Dave Kautz, Howard Hughes CorporationSenior Vice President, Development.

Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, WA, recently renovated all rooms in one of its two hotel towers, creating more livable space in each along with manyother upgrades. Accommodations have a new décor,bedding, carpeting, paint and cabinetry. The new layout enlarges bathrooms and includes new vanities,towel warmers and glass walk-in showers. Room renovations began in early February and were recentlycompleted.

Guests enjoy representative tribal art designsreflected in the room colors and style. The SquaxinIsland Tribe, which owns and operates the property,showcases handmade Native American art piecesthroughout the resort, and funds a nearby museumhonoring the community’s heritage.

“Rejuvenating our rooms provides guests with therelaxing, finely appointed setting that they covet,”says Mark West, Chief Executive Officer of LittleCreek Casino Resort. “We must ensure that our hotel and overall resort experience ranks as highly with them as ourcasino, golf, entertainment and spa amenities.”

In addition to the hotel, Little Creek Casino Resort features

two spacious gaming floors – smoking and non-smoking –featuring Vegas-style table games, slot machines, a PokerRoom, lounges with entertainment, several eateries and SevenInlets Spa. The spa is a soothing sanctuary offering selectionsof locally-inspired massage, skin and beauty treatments.

Little Creek Casino Resort Hotel Renovation Debuts