The Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California recently celebrated the topping-off ceremony for its $325 million Chicken Ranch Casino Resort. The 9-story structure will be the tallest in Tuolumne County.
The ceremony, organized by Suffolk Construction, included a ceremonial spruce tree and the signing of the topping off beam by construction workers, tribal members and casino workers. It also included footprints and handprints of younger members of the tribe.
At the luncheon following the ceremony, Mark Rossi, vice president of operations for Suffolk Construction, told the gathering of about 300 guests, “The tree is a symbolic offering to appease the tree-dwelling spirits.” He added, “And we’re attaching a tribal flag and an American flag to the beam, to celebrate the topping out milestone for the structure.”
Chicken Ranch Rancheria Tribal Chairman Lloyd Mathiesen added, “It’s a thank you, it’s another stepping stone. They’ll be able to work inside the structure soon.” The tribe and construction company are anticipating a completion date of March 2024. It will include a hotel with 190 rooms and a 9,600-square foot convention center.
