Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and the Chickasaw Nation announced the tribe plans to build a resort hotel and casino at the former Texoma Lodge and Resort on land that previously was a state park just north of the Texas border, near Kingston. Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said, “We believe this project will help launch a transformation of this area into a major tourism and recreation attraction. We look forward to working with the state on a project and we expect to have a positive impact on jobs and our economy for decades to come.”
The land previously was owned by Pointe Vista, a private developer, which purchased 750 acres for $4 million from the state in 2006. The tract included 50 acres of prime lakefront property, including the Lake Texoma Lodge and Resort, overlooking Lake Texoma and the iconic Roosevelt Bridge. The company also acquired an additional 11.5 acres. Pointe Vista had planned to develop the property but was stopped by the 2008 recession. The lodge was demolished in 2009.
Earlier this year, Chickasaw-owned Texoma Development Holdings LLC purchased 50 acres for $4.2 million from the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office, which bought back the 50 acres from the 750 acres it sold to Pointe Vista in 2006. Pointe Vista still owns 700 acres of former state park land in the area.
The next step requires having the federal government take the land into trust, which could take months or years. Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Bill Lance said, “If the land can be placed into trust, our intent and plan is to develop this premier lakefront property into destination lodging and a casino.”
The project will include a casino with 300 electronic games. Also on the property will be 10 lakefront cottages plus a three-story hotel featuring a restaurant, gift shop, lounge, meeting rooms, outdoor pool and recreation area, fitness center and business center. The Chickasaw Nation already has invested $400,000 to upgrade the sewage system in anticipation of the casino resort.
Kingston Town Councilman Art Hackler noted, “Kingston is a short drive from Dallas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and the area has missed out on millions of dollars in tourism money since the state lodge and resort closed its doors at Texoma State park a decade ago. We have the most beautiful spot in the world and we are within 100 miles of probably 4 million people.”
