The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chairman, Brian Cladoosby, announced today the placement of final structural steel and “topping off” of the 98-room Swinomish Lodge & Casino, the center piece of Phase 1 of the Tribal Communities economic development and diversity plan. The overall plan consists of an expansion to the Swinomish Casino and the addition of a 98 room luxury Lodge, the plan’s centerpiece, on the shores of Padilla Bay in Anacortes, Washington.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the “topping off” of the Swinomish Lodge and Casino, which includes the 98 room Lodge, 13 Moons, a fine dining restaurant, the 10 Sports Bar, meetings and convention space and an expanded gaming area. We are on schedule for a spring 2012 Grand Opening,” said Chairman Cladoosby.

The Lodge, designed by Walsh Bishop of Minneapolis, has 4 Suites -73 Kings and 21 Double Queens - with the majority of the rooms capturing the breathtaking views of Padilla Bay, Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands.

The restaurant, named “13 Moons,” will feature an exhibition kitchen with menu items and selections based on available seasonal meats, seafood and produce from the surrounding area. “We believe it is very important to provide our guests with the finest and  freshest local meats and seafood, harvested by tribal fisherman, accompanied by fresh produce cultivated by farms in our region,” according to Chairman Cladoosby.

The casino expansion will consist of more than 9000 square feet of convention and meeting space, more than 100 of the newest slot machines and the remodel of a number of the property’s current facilities. “The lodge’s location, natural beauty, designs and enhanced amenities will make this one of the finest casino & lodges in the region, a true destination,” said Mike Wootan, Swinomish Casino and Lodge General Manager.

Construction is being performed by Seattle-based Aecon USA, and is anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2012. “We very excited to introduce the region and the entire Pacific Northwest new Swinomish Casino & Lodge,” stated Chairman Cladoosby.  

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About the Swinomish Tribal Community:

While a number of tribal members still rely on salmon fishing and shellfish harvesting for at least a portion of their livelihood, such traditional subsistence methods are no longer the sole means of support for many tribal families. In addition, the Swinomish Tribe owns and operates the Swinomish Casino, the Swinomish Chevron Gas Station, which includes a tobacco, liquor and convenience store, the Swinomish Fish Company which processes salmon and shellfish for a global market that includes the United Kingdom and the European Union, and a Ramada Hotel in Ocean Shores on the Washington Coast.

The Tribe has become one of the 5 largest employers in Skagit County with over 250 employees in Tribal government and approximately 300 employees in its casino and other economic enterprises. The Tribe's Chevron Gas Station is the largest volume Chevron station on the West Coast.

The Swinomish Tribal Community is dedicated to supporting the region’s economic diversity and recovery. With a total economic impact of more than $30 million, The Swinomish Casino & Lodge will be hiring nearly 100 additional employees at the Lodge’s opening and is committed to purchasing as many products and services from local suppliers and vendors as possible.

About the Swinomish Casino:

What began as a small bingo operation in 1985 has grown into one of the county’s leading employers. Swinomish Casino currently employs nearly 300 team members. Swinomish Casino is a full-service casino featuring slot machines, table games, keno, poker and bingo. Swinomish Casino is owned and operated by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and is located on beautiful Fidalgo Island near Anacortes, Washington.