The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians have announced a ‘breaking of ground’ ceremony ahead of the expansion of their Southern California casino, the San Manuel Casino. The Yaamava celebratory event marks the addition of a new hotel and entertainment venue that will be located just an hour out of downtown Los Angeles.
The chairwoman of the San Manuel Ban, Lynn Valbuena said in a statement: “We couldn’t be more humbled and proud to start this new project, one that embodies the new growth and revitalization Yaamava, meaning spring, a season that brings new life and boundless potential.”
“This time of renewal is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the words of our ancestors to never forget who we are or where we came from,” she said.
The surrounding community will benefit from greater employment opportunities, according to the tribe and has thus been hailed “a major step forward”.
Improvements include a new on-site hotel, state of the art amenities, new dining opportunities, retail and event spaces and many new entertainment options.
The General Manager of the San Manuel Casino, Loren Gill said that the plan was to “take all-thrill to the next level.”
“We are grateful that our guests have made San Manuel Casino a top entertainment destination in the region, and our team looks forward to providing a world-class experience as we continue to grow,” she said.
The expansion is expected to cost $550 million and will turn what began as a simple bingo hall in 1986 into a fully-fledged casino resort and the addition of 750,000 square feet to the property.
Already underway is the first phase of the operation which is the building of a six-story parking garage, that is expected to be completed at the end of next year.
A new indoor entertainment venue is planned for behind the current casino, while is scheduled to be finished by 2021. Plans for a new 17-story hotel is also in the pipeline, featuring 450 rooms, a spa and fitness center and a pool complex. The date for this final phase of the project hasn’t been announced yet.
This is one of several Southern Californian tribal casinos that have plans to increase in size. The Pechanga Resort and Casino recently completed a $300 million expansion, while the Soboba Casino is also planning to built a new casino and hotel complex.
