Casino continues with expansion plans

Representatives from the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino attended the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s monthly meeting Saturday to share details of the casino’s expansion plans which are well underway.

Bob Kelly is the Innovation Project Development President and he works with Gail McDonald on the project that will eventually see construction of a hotel, and which has already included the opening of the Sprung structure called Cascades attached at the east end of the casino as well as the expansion of Sticks restaurant.

With a total construction budget of more than $77 million, the project is expected to increase revenue at the already profitable casino.

“The economic situation here has not been terrible effected,” Kelly said, as opposed to elsewhere in the nation. The casino’s profit has continued to steadily increase, he said. “Some (casinos) have already bottomed out and are now recovering.”

While Cascades and the new On the Rocks bar opened last year at the casino – creating additional space for more slot machines – the most recent construction project to be completed was the Sticks expansion. The sports restaurant was doubled in size to the east and a stage area was built which will allow them to feature bands and entertainment more efficiently. A secondary entrance to the restaurant was also constructed, shortening the walk patrons needed to reach the casino’s only full-service restaurant.

The Sticks expansion was officially opened on New Year’s Eve – a night that Kelly said was the casino’s most successful day to date.

“It was crowded, it was exciting,” he said.

Next, the casino is moving forward with a larger plan to build a secondary entrance with a secondary coat check, secondary cashier and the Winner’s Club counter.

With the new entrance, the casino is improving its valet system as well. Guests of the casino will be able to drop off their car for valet at either of the two main entrances. They will then receive a card and when they’re ready to leave the casino, the card will be swiped and the car will be brought to whichever door the guest is exiting from, regardless of which one they arrived at.

Photos are also being taken of each car as it is dropped off at valet, to prevent any issues over liability and damage.

Kelly said there were some issues with claims of damage in the past.

Construction also taking place now is that of a food court that will seat 80 and provide more food choices for guests, which will allow guests to be comfortable staying longer at the casino. The Native Harvest buffet will be altered with the entrance moving to the south end and the large barrier wall coming down and being replaced with a low wall.

Additional changes to the casino in the upcoming months will include new sidewalks and curbs, improved plumbing and sewer systems, new signage and other touchups like new carpeting.

Since 2006, the casino’s numbers have grown from 791,544 guests then to 1,056, 849 guests in 2008. In 2006 the casino had 801 slot machines; they now have 1,575.

No date has been set for the completion of the current or future phases of construction.