Construction continues on smaller casino project
Karen Peterson photo
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have begun a smaller expansion of the Gray Wolf Peak Casino in Evaro.
courtesy photo
Renderings depict the appearance of the coming expanded casino.
courtesy photo
Renderings depict the appearance of the coming expanded casino.
Karen Peterson photo
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have begun a smaller expansion of the Gray Wolf Peak Casino in Evaro.
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EVARO – Construction on the Gray Wolf Peak Casino expansion project in Evaro is underway, although it’ll be smaller than originally planned.
“We listened to the elders,” said Sheila Matt, S&K Gaming board of directors and CEO. She explained that many of the elders thought the project was too big.
The project was scaled down to include a restaurant, deli, lounge and casino space in 34,000 square feet with a $21.1 million dollar price tag, but the hotel with 70 rooms and the RV park will not be built at this time. The project was originally set at $27 million.
“We will remain within the original 5.2-acre property,” she said.
The new facility is being built alongside the current structure, and when construction is finished, the old building might be torn down. The original section of the building was constructed more than 50 years ago.
“It’s in such bad shape that it’ll probably be torn down,” she said. “It was never meant to be used as long as it has been.”
The building had a different name years ago.
“It was originally Joe’s Smoke Ring,” she said explaining that the building was refurbished into what it is today. When the new building is finished, it will still be called the Gray Wolf.
Instead of asking the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for a new lease to expand the project, the plans were scaled down so that they fit within the original lease approved by the previous tribal council. The current council approved of the building design on the new construction earlier this year.
The casino is rated by the federal government with a Class II gaming license by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that allows tribes to generate revenue through gaming.
“Class II also means me don’t have a jackpot limit,” she said. “In the State of Montana, the jackpot limit is $800. We don’t have a limit so we have many people travel here.”
But Class II doesn’t allow card style games.
“It’s all done on the Class II bingo-based machines,” she said adding that she hopes the new casino attracts more tourism.
