SUQUAMISH — Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort hosted a ceremonial blessing and groundbreaking on June 3, kicking off the first phase of a five-year expansion plan.
The expansion will ultimately include a convention center, 100 additional hotel rooms, a fifth restaurant, and extensive remodeling of casino.
The groundbreaking will initiate construction of a six-level, 690-space parking garage, with a projected completion date of Jan. 21.
Monday’s event was at 9 a.m. In attendance: Clearwater Casino CEO Russell Steele, General Manager Rich Purser, Suquamish Tribal Council members, Port Madison Enterprises board members, project architect Rice Fergus Miller, and KORSMO Construction, the contracted builder.
Steele said the expansion “will draw businesses and organizations from around the Puget Sound to North Kitsap for conventions and corporate retreats,” and create another 180 jobs at the casino resort over the next four years.
The casino will remain open for business as usual during construction, Steele said.
Here’s what’s planned in each phase, according to Lisa Rodriguez, Port Madison Enterprises media coordinator.
— Phase I: In addition to the new garage, an additional 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a 4,500 -square-foot pre-function area in the casino, additional office space, a new walkway between the resort and the casino, a fine dining restaurant, and remodel of the Longhouse Buffet. Projected completion date: November 2014.
— Phase II: Set to begin in October 2014, will encompass the construction of a 100-room, five-story hotel adjoining the casino. All rooms will have water views and will be structured to accommodate a potential additional three stories in the future. Projected completion date: The end of March 2015.
— Phase III: A 5,700-square-foot expansion of the casino, a new 350-seat lounge, a specialty restaurant and a new bar in the center of the casino floor. Projected completion date: By November 2016.
— Phase IV: Construction of the Convention Center — 15,000 square feet of meeting and entertainment space with movable walls, along with 11,500 square feet of pre-function space and 8,500 feet of support space. Completion is anticipated at a later date.
