The original Cahuilla Casino opened in 1996, and the Cahuilla Band of Indians has operated it from a tent-like structure in Anza, California, for 23 years. But construction is currently underway to complete a replacement gaming facility adjacent to the existing operation. The new resort is slated for completion by spring 2020.
The price tag for this buildout and expansion? $35.2 million.
Upgrades for the new attraction include a 36,000-square-foot, four-story hotel with 58 rooms; a 7,000-square-foot outdoor event space; a larger, contemporary restaurant with a private dining area; and open bar. The spacious new 14,000-square-foot gaming floor will feature more slot machines (353 to be exact), with a dedicated high-limit gaming area, and the addition of four table games.
“Our new restaurant and well-appointed accommodations will offer our customers a complete destination experience,” Tribal Council Chairman Daniel Salgado said. “It’s an exciting time for our Tribe as we enter a new phase of growth, building on our rich 20-year history to become a top-notch gaming destination.”
While the Riverside County-based attraction will be much smaller than its competitors in San Diego County and the Coachella Valley, which tout lavish pools and massive hotel towers, the Cahuilla Band of Indians is going for gradual and sustainable — not fast and splashy. “This is more of a marathon for us and not a sprint,” Salgado told The Press-Enterprise. “We’re not going to try to get a dollar really quick and think that we’re going to build this massive thing just to compete with the people down the road. It’s not that. We’re living within our means and we’re going to win this race for ourselves.”
A pool and conference center aren’t even in the cards for the Band at the moment — but that could change in the future, Salgado said.
In addition to locals, the casino draws travelers along Highway 371 — an increasingly popular, alternative route to traffic-ridden Interstate 10. The Tribe also operates a gas and convenience store — appealing to drivers-by. This current casino-hotel expansion marks the first major construction project for the Tribe since its Mountain Sky Travel Center convenience store and gas station, which debuted in early November 2015.
