Part two of a major three-part renovation project recently was completed at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino in Grand Portage, Minnesota. Owned and operated by the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians, the new, larger facility recently opened during a three-day changeover. General Manager Steven Standing Cloud said, “The Grand Portage Lodge and Casino is happy to announce phase two of the three-part renovation is complete. Everybody’s excited about our offerings. In this expansion we have a new gaming floor along with a new front desk. Our casino floor is now using a state-of-the-art ventilation system so there’s not a whole lot of smoke anymore. There’s a lot more breathing space for our guests.”
More than 400 new slots were added to the expanded 12,000 square foot gaming floor, which also offers blackjack and other gaming tables. “New and bigger is always better. We wanted to offer our guests a better atmosphere and give them more space to move around, new surroundings and give them more games to play including new games and the games they’re used to. With the blackjack we hope to appeal to a newer and younger demographic,” Standing Cloud noted.
The renovation also included a new deli and coat check facility, plus an arcade, fitness room and pool area at the hotel.
The third stage of the renovation will include an events center offering banquet and meeting rooms, plus new offices and a revamped restaurant and lounge, all expected to be completed this fall, said Standing Cloud.
He noted the interior design features aspects of Ojibwa culture, including a lot of florals, lighting evoking the northern aurora and a sculpture of the Little Spirit Tree. “Everybody’s excited and everybody wants to get some of this done so that we can move on to bigger and better things,” Standing Cloud said.
