4 minute read
Murphy casino to get $275 million expansion
Cherokee approves $275 million expansion plan for Murphy casino
BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER
After a 45-minute off-air discussion July 8, the Cherokee Tribal Council approved a $275 million master plan to expand the Valley River Casino in Murphy.
“We’re thrilled with Tribal Council’s support of the resolution and are optimistic that Chief Sneed will ratify the resolution,” said Harrah’s Regional Vice President for Marketing Brian Saunooke.
The projects included in the master plan are not named in the resolution Tribal Council passed, and the master plan itself was not made public. However, Saunooke said, “key features” will include an additional hotel tower, a new restaurant, a hotel lobby café, a spa and indoor pool, additional gaming space and additional parking.
In response to follow-up questions related to the scale and timeline of the proposed projects, Saunooke replied that the casino would reach out again “once we are at a point to share details.”
According to the resolution, the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise selected JCJ Architecture to develop the concept design and provide a cost estimate. To fund the project, the TCGE will obtain a loan not to exceed $275 million.
The approved master plan represents an investment of more than double the $110 spent to deliver the initial facility in September 2015. The Valley River Casino & Hotel opened with 50,000 square feet of gaming space, including 1,050 slot machines, 70 table games and a food court-style dining area. In 2018, a $13 million expansion added a 41,000-square-foot entertainment area featuring bowling, arcade games and a full-service restaurant. It also added 55 gaming units and some bartop units such as video poker to the existing gaming floor. The facility also features a seven-story hotel tower with 300 rooms. As of this March, Valley River also offers sports betting.
After the lengthy off-air discussion, an overwhelming majority of Council members voted to approve the master plan, with only Birdtown Representative Albert Rose and Wolfetown Representative Bo Crowe opposed.
Before voting against the resolution, Rose proposed an amendment that would require the Tribal Council to contract with a firm to ensure that the project, which is under the TCGE’s jurisdiction, stays on budget. The TCGE’s current expansion project in Cherokee came in $80 million over budget, and Rose had led the charge in demanding
answers for that overrun. However, the move didn’t receive a second and died on the floor. Crowe made a separate move to table, which also failed to gain a second.
Wolfetown Representative Chelsea Saunooke said the master plan is necessary to keep the casino ahead of the competition.
“I do want people to understand that right now as gaming stands, it funds 46.3% of our budget,” she said. “So anything that would take away from that — competition, whatever, you name it — that’s just chipping away, chipping away. If we don’t do more to offset competition, then we’re going to be sitting ducks.”
Rose disagreed.
“I think we’re way out in front of our competition. We’re in over a billion dollars that we’ve spent in the last eight months, I think,” he said. “So we’re way out in front of the competition, I think.”
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Ingles Nutrition Notes
written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath
Q: Ineedtohavesomeoralsurgeryandwillneedtobeonadietthatis mostlyliquidsforacoupleofweeks.WhataresomethingsIshouldplan onbuyingorstockingupon? A: If you have a reduced ability to chew or swallow and need to be on a temporary diet that is primarily pureed or liquid, you will need foods that can be easily swallowed without large lumps or chunks. A food processor or blender will be a necessity. Either can be used to puree vegetable soups, soups with cooked meats, fruits and vegetables, starchy vegetables like cooked potatoes and winter squash. You may also want to consider the convenience of infant and toddler food in jars or pouches Some products you may want to have on hand: • Oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice (add milk or soy beverage to thin) • Milk or soy beverage • Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables • Yogurt and cottage cheese (to add protein to smoothies) • Meal replacement beverages (e.g. Boost or Ensure) or adding protein powders or Carnation instant breakfast drink to milk or soy beverage • Broth that can be used to thin vegetables, starchy vegetables and soups • 100% fruit or vegetable juices which can be used to thin fruits or cooked vegetables As you heal from your surgery, you may be able to increase the amount of texture and thickness of the food, but be sure and check with your physician or dentist on this.
Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian @InglesDietitian Leah McGrath - Dietitian 800.334.4936
