Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians April 29 will open Harrah’s Northern California in Ione, Amador County, just off Highway 88. That date was chosen to pay homage to tribal ancestor Louie Oliver, whose birthday that was.
The casino will also include a restaurant named after Oliver. The casino will have 1,000 slot machines and 20 gaming tables. A hotel could be included in later phase. When it opens it will have about 500 full time employees, the great majority hired locally.
Harrah’s spokesman Lisa Yahrling told KCRA: “I would describe this as kind of modern but also fitting in with the landscape—so we’re not big and flashy outside,” adding “I think it really fits in with the laid back and relaxed feeling of Amador County.”
The casino is already having a slight increase on the local economy. The local Buena Vista Market Store and Saloon says business is good from the construction workers shopping there and eating lunch.
Owner Charlene Robinson told KCRA “We stay very busy. We get a lot of the construction workers eating here for lunch and we’re excited about it.” She added, “Some people are all for it, some people aren’t for it because it’s countryside out here, and there’s going to be a lot more traffic now. So there’s mixed feelings.”
To deal with additional traffic the casino is paying for two traffic signal lights and to expand roads. It’s also funding a new fire station and additional patrols from the Ione Police Department.
