by Dale Neal, STAFF WRITER
published February 10, 2006 12:15 am
CHEROKEE — Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel is betting on more business, with plans for a $254 million expansion that will add a third hotel tower, a new spa and parking garage, as well as doubling the size of the casino’s showroom.
Harrah’s staff could nearly double from 1,770 workers to more than 3,000, said Ray Rose, Harrah’s Cherokee vice president of food and beverage and hotel facilities.
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“Business has been good, but gaming is very competitive, very capital-intensive, very dynamic. This is about maintaining our competitive advantage and positioning the business for longtime success,” Rose said. “We want to become a destination resort.”
The Cherokee Tribal Council gave Harrah’s the go-ahead to seek $254.5 million in funding. Harrah’s will return to the council with specific plans for the expansion in the next six months, Rose said.
“The potential for growth at Harrah’s Cherokee — as an employer, contributor to the local economy and a business asset for the Eastern Band — is tremendous,” said Norma Moss, chair of the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns the casino, while Harrah’s Entertainment manages the property for the tribe. The casino, which opened in 1997 and is the region’s largest employer west of Asheville, brings in an estimated $155 million or more a year.
The tribe is negotiating with the governor’s office to change the gaming pact and allow live card games at the casino. Rose said Harrah’s has no plans for a second casino, a possibility that has been raised in those talks.
Adding the 324-room Soco Tower last year brought the casino hotel up to 574 rooms. A third tower could add a third more rooms, Rose said. Plans also include a new 1,000-car parking garage.
The existing 88,000-square-foot gaming space would be remodeled with new carpet and paint. The project could be completed over the next four years.
“We certainly know that there is demand,” Rose said.
Harrah’s plans to build a new 3,000-seat showroom to provide more entertainment at the casino.
Contact Dale Neal at 828-232-5970 or via e-mail at dneal@ashevill.gannett.com.
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