Keweenaw Bay Indian Community casino project
Tribe breaks ground on facility upgrade
An artist’s rendition shows what the project is expected to look like after it’s completed. (Image courtesy of KBIC)
Members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council line up during a Tuesday ceremony to “break the ground,” signifying the first day of construction of a project to expand the Ojibwa Casino in Chocolay Township. General Manager Don Wren, right, smiles from the podium. (Journal photo by Rachel Oakley)
An artist’s rendition shows what the project is expected to look like after it’s completed. (Image courtesy of KBIC)
Members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council line up during a Tuesday ceremony to “break the ground,” signifying the first day of construction of a project to expand the Ojibwa Casino in Chocolay Township. General Manager Don Wren, right, smiles from the podium. (Journal photo by Rachel Oakley)
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MARQUETTE -- Construction has begun on Chocolay Township's Ojibwa Casino project.
A groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning marked the commencement of construction for the first approved renovations and expansion since the casino opened.
The scope of work for the $35.5 million project includes an 80-room three-star hotel, 1,200-seat entertainment complex, three restaurants, expansion to add 500 slot machines, and a 400-seat conference facility.
Facility General Manager Don Wren commented on the potential impact of the expansion, giving visitors to Marquette an entertainment supercenter and bringing more career opportunities to the Upper Peninsula.
"We think we can certainly grow the market here. … It's a great opportunity for the community, it's a great opportunity for the tribe," said Wren.
The new entertainment complex will provide space for large music events. The new state-of-the-art conference facility will make way for community gatherings as well, according to officials.
"Every leader that I've talked to within the community here spoke about the lack of convention space (in Marquette). So now we're giving them a place to come and stay, we're giving them a place for conventions, we're giving them a place for entertainment, and we're giving them a spectacular casino," Wren said.
Baraga's Ojibwa Casino is also due for a $6.5 million facelift. A groundbreaking ceremony was planned for 10 a.m. today.
Both projects are expected to be complete by Sept. 10, 2018.
Rachel Oakley can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is roakley@miningjournal.net.