The Washington-based Kalispel tribe last week opened a $14 million RV resort in Airway Heights adjacent to the Northern Quest Casino & Resort.
The resort, a Bud Surles Signature Resort, is expected to bring in more than 40,000 guests annually. It offers 38 luxury RV sites and 18 small cottages for rent next to the casino resort. In a few months that number will jump to 67 RV sites. It is expected to attract families, travelers and those attending concerts at the casino.
It was one of the last such resorts to be designed by Surles, who had a national reputation. He died of cancer in 2017.
As a tribute to Surles, the tribe, which had a personal connection to the late designer, has built a memorial garden that is planted with native plants from his home state of Idaho.
The RV resort has been in the works for more than 15 years, but had to wait until the tribe determined the best site. Many casinos are adding RV parks. This one is designed to have amenities that will appeal the wide range of consumers visiting the region.
It has a clubhouse, cool, cabanas, laundry, kitchens, golf cart rental, fitness center, dog park, showers and concierge service.
Such resorts are common in Southern states, but not as common in the Pacific Northwest. Donda Walsh, the resort manager, told the Spokesman-Review: “People come up from the South and they look for these kinds of places.”
Northern Quest Resort & Casino completed an expansion last year when a store, cinema, dinner theater, arcade and entertainment center and 216 apartment complex were added. The RV resort completes the expansion.
