The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in Northern California last week “broke pavement” for the expansion of the Cache Creek Casino Resort’s hotel, which will add 459 new rooms, plus a pool, restaurant, meeting space and a ballroom.
Tribal Chairman Leland Kinter hailed the groundbreaking, which took part in an existing parking lot: “This expansion is an incredible opportunity for our entire community,” he said. “We will finally be able to invite more of our guests to stay, saving trips on the road, and offer more rooms and amenities for our neighbors and other local visitors.”
The $200 million expansion is taking place entirely within the existing footprint of the resort. Predicting the creation of 500 building jobs over the next 24 months, Kinter added, “This is an investment, not just in our resort, but in our region. It will generate up to 500 construction jobs over the two-year building period, and more than 200 ongoing hospitality jobs when fully operational. Plus, it will be a significant long-term community asset as Capay Valley grows as an agri-tourism destination.”
The casino opened in 2004, but has felt the need to expand the number of hotel rooms for several years.
The resorts Chief Operating Office Tim Bryant told the Daily Democrat: “The expansion is a first-class project that will help meet long-standing demand of many guests who want to stay overnight rather than drive home.”
The architecture of the addition is intended to reflect that of the existing facility, plus themes from the Yocha Dehe Golf Club and Séka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room.
The tribe has been working closely with the Yolo County Board of Supervisors on the mitigation of off-reservation impacts.
Duane Chamberlain, the supervisor representing the Capay Valley, where the casino is located, told the Daily-Democrat: “We welcome this important investment in our community by Yocha Dehe and the Cache Creek Casino Resort.” He added, “Already the largest private employer in our County, the Tribe has been and continues to be an incredibly active community partner, supporting many important programs and initiatives.”
The memorandum of understanding between the tribe and the county commits the tribe to paying $6.2 million for the next 22 years. The funds are unrestricted and can be spent for whatever the county wishes. In addition, the tribe has promised to pay for two more sheriff’s deputies and patrol cars, pay for additional fire protection and improve roads.
