The opening date for San Manuel Casino’s $500 million expansion opening, including a 17-story hotel tower with 429 rooms, its first onsite hotel, is being pushed back until 2022 due to Covid-19. The resort is owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which broke ground on the expansion July 25, 2018.
Although the resort reopened in June, officials say the reopening, originally scheduled for the middle of next year, will be moved back a year.
The expansion in Highland, California, includes more gaming space, a 24-hour restaurant and fine dining, a 2,700 seat event center.
General Manager Peter Arceo said it is unknown how the pandemic will affect entertainment in the coming months and to be on the safe side they want to allow themselves more time. Until mid-2020 the hotel and entertainment center, although completed, will only host private events.
The resorts held an intimate, socially distanced topping-off ceremony for the complex on November 6, with the final beam hoisted to the top of the tower—attended by employees and members of the band.
They altered timeline was announced during the event. Ken Ramirez, Chairman of the band, declared, “This endeavor advances the continued development of our tribal government and economy, and as importantly, creates permanent jobs and opportunities for the region—which is our home.” He added, “Today we take an important step toward these goals, and recognize the hard work of our team who is helping us get there. We look forward to sharing our Tribe’s vision of hospitality with our guests in this new expansion.”
The expansion will be done in phases. In the first phase, the expanded gaming area, dining venues and retail shops will open next summer.
In phase 2, the hotel, plus more food and beverage options, a spa and pool deck will open about a year from now.
In the third phase, the event venue will open in 2022.
