Spirit Mountain Casino remodeling begins

By Angela Sears

Advertising supervisor

Spirit Mountain Casino has started an elaborate remodeling project that will bring a new level of comfort and sophistication to the 20-year-old property.

The yearlong remodeling project will give the casino an entirely new look and feel, adding more excitement to the casino floor with new finishes and carpet, visually pleasing lighting displays and ceiling fixtures, a convenient new entrance and a new casino bar.

Guests have already started to see things change throughout the casino. The Poker Room was temporarily relocated to make room for a new, convenient entrance located at the north end of the casino. Because the entrance will take guests directly on to the main gaming floor, it is limited to guests who are 21 years of age or older.

Another new addition is the North Bar, located just inside the new North Entrance area. This lavish addition to the gaming floor will offer guests slot machine gaming and a full bar.

Perhaps the biggest part of the project is the conversion of The Peak gaming area into Oregon’s first non-smoking full casino. The Peak will feature 600 slot machines, table games, poker, keno and a bar, but will not allow smoking.

“We’re looking forward to the upcoming renovations at Spirit Mountain Casino,” says Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno. “Revenues from Spirit Mountain Casino help us provide health care and other vital services to our Tribal members, and with an ever-changing market we want to keep our property fresh and exciting for our guests.

“With a new look and new state-of-the-art machines, we’re looking to provide guests with an enjoyable atmosphere and world-class gaming experience for years to come. There’s no doubt in my mind that Spirit Mountain Casino will be among the top gaming destinations for travelers here in the state of Oregon and along the West Coast.”

Spirit Mountain Casino opened in October 1995. During its Nov. 4, 2015, meeting, Tribal Council approved a loan not to exceed $13 million to fund the extensive remodeling of the casino. I-5 Design and Manufacture Inc. of Lacey, Wash., is performing the work.