California’s Tule River Tribe broke ground for its new Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, California on April 6. Now it’s moving full speed ahead with development of the facility, which relocates the original gaming hall to 40 acres near the Porterville Sports Complex.
According to the Porterville Record, the new casino will feature 1,750 slot machines, numerous table games, a 2,000-seat event center and restaurants throughout the 100,000-square-foot property. The current casino will eventually be used as a medical complex.
Tule River Tribal Vice Chairman Neil Peyron said during the ceremony, “This casino has been a long time coming. It’s more than just a casino. This is education for our children, housing for our elders and medical care for members of the tribe.”
HGB Design was chosen by the tribe to create the look of the new complex. HGB’s clients include more than 45 Indian gaming enterprises and commercial hospitality and entertainment giants such as Caesars Entertainment, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Hotels and Elvis Presley Enterprises. HBG Design was recognized as an Associate Member of the Year by the National Indian Gaming Association for its support of gaming tribes and Native American education programs.
HGB’s Joe Baraffaldi said the new casino’s design will include elements cherished by the Tule River Tribe. “Soaring vertical features will recall the majesty of the Giant Sequoia and the Golden Eagle,” he said. A variety of tribal basket patterning will also be featured. “Patterns and motifs of tribal symbolism will help draw guests through wayfinding paths, to the casino, the center bar, the dining venues and to ancillary spaces.”
The Flight of the Butterfly will be featured at the entryway, and a mountain silhouette design will reflect the regional landscape. Guests will be welcomed with water features and a replica of the iconic tribal Painted Rock.
The casino will feature a sports bar, food court and steak restaurant. The tribe has invested in a premium air system. “The new casino is clean and safe for guests,” Baraffaldi said. “There are more robust safety elements designed into the new facility versus what an existing casino could provide.”
