Arizona’s Pascua Yaqui Tribe has announced plans to build an additional 150 room hotel to its existing 215 room hotel, and increase its convention space at the Casino del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center. Construction will begin next summer or fall. The cost of the project is being withheld at this time because it is still in the bidding phase.
This is the first expansion for the casino, which opened in 2011. CEO Kimberly Van Amburg says the expansion was needed because for several years the hotel occupancy rate has been better than 90 percent. When there are big events, patrons have to seek rooms elsewhere.
The resort has had several such events this year, including a Toby Keith concert in October and the Mexican musicians Alejandra Guzman and Gloria Trevi who attracted large audiences from across the border.
The expansion will also create about 150 jobs, Van Amburg told the Arizona Daily Star, who added that the tribe is also looking at options for an RV park with 90 spaces.
The tribe plans to build a 11,000 SF event center capable of hosting meetings and entertainment adjacent to its other casino, the Casino of the Sun.
