The Kalispel Tribe of Airway Heights, Washington last week announced plans for a million expansion of its Northern Quest Resort and Casino. The expansion includes a 40,000-square foot addition to provide child-care, a youth arcade, including the addition of Cyber Quest and Kids Quest; dining and retail space, with a .5 million RV park eventually. It is expected to break ground at the end of this year.
The tribe says the additions will help make working for the casino more family friendly for its 2,000 employees.
Phil Haugen, Chief Operating Officer of the Kalispel Tribal Economic Authority commented: “It’s been such a great experience and been such a ride. When we started seventeen years ago almost in that little building in 50,000 square feet, we thought it was huge we thought it was massive, we didn’t know it would grow like this.”
General Manager Brandon Haugen told Yogonet: “We’re trying to find ways to start new businesses, and we’re trying to find ways to utilize the land base we have out here for economic development and growth.”
The city of Airway Heights supports the expansion. “As you can imagine, this is going to help attract other businesses, other customers and enterprises to the West Plains,” said City Manager Albert Tripp.
Two miles away the Spokane Tribe of Indians is building a $40 million casino, the first phase of a $400 million Hard Rock Hotel resort. The Spokane Tribe Economic Project broke ground last autumn. The tribe says it will be built in phases and will include a casino, retail shops, commercial development, hotel and resort and tribal cultural center.
