Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)
Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)
BEMIDJI—Construction is scheduled to start next month on a new Shooting Star Casino near Bagley with a completion date expected in late spring 2016.
Bill Marsh, general manager of Shooting Star Casino, said Friday that the new facility will be located along County Highway 27, about seven minutes outside of Bagley. Marsh said while no official date has been selected for opening, he expects the project to be finished in April or May.
The casino near Bagley, unlike the other Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, doesn't include a hotel and an events center. However, Marsh said the casino would feature a bar and grill and future developments for expansion are possible.
In a press release Wednesday, Marsh said the decision to bring a new casino to the Bagley region came after extensive research.
"We found that we have an impressive customer base visiting Mahnomen from this area and a large population in the surrounding areas who desire a first class gaming entertainment experience," Marsh said.
To select the best spot in the Bagley area, Marsh said Friday that Shooting Star staff had to work to develop within the boundaries of the White Earth Reservation, which owns and operates the Shooting Star, and identified the Highway 27 location as the best site within the reservation.
After completion, Marsh said the company hopes to create 45-50 jobs to help grow the area around Bagley.
"Our hope is that the new casino will make Bagley a true destination as well as improve business growth," Marsh said in the release. "We are eager to begin construction this September and expand our presence in the growing northwest Minnesota region."
During a later interview, Marsh said the casino will "do a lot of good for the community and give people a new entertainment outlet. It will be a first-class facility."
Marsh said Friday that some "elements of the project are still being finalized," and that more details, such as 3D renderings of the project are expected to be released later this fall.
According to its company website, the White Earth Nation opened Shooting Star in 1991 with casino gaming located in temporary facilities before a grand opening in 1992. A $30 million, 145,300 square-foot expansion was completed in 2001 and the facility features the casino, a 15,000 square-foot concert venue and a 386-room hotel as well as 3,000 square feet in event/meeting space.
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