The Wildhorse Resort & Casino, owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation recently unveiled plans for its next stage of growth, a – million expansion.
The casino first opened 22 years ago with 100 slots in a temporary trailer. Currently it has a luxury hotel, 18-hole golf course, a Cineplex, sports bar and 1,200 slots.
Recently CEO Gary George made a presentation to the General Council and Board of Trustees for a new expansion that would include a second hotel tower with 228 rooms, 32 lane bowling alley, horse arena, concert venue, spa etc. It would replace the original 100-room hotel. An events center will go up in the hotel’s place. The closure of a bowling alley in nearby Pendleton is driving the expansion, said George.
He said it is important to diversify so that the tribe will be able to make money whether it has a casino or not. “At some point in time, gaming will come to an end. This is a means to diversify,” he said, according to the East Oregonian. “In the end, gaming like everything else is kind of cyclical. In the past, it’s come and gone.”
