Interior construction of the new Shoshone-Bannock Casino.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Work continues on the new Shoshone-Bannock Casino that is attached to the Hotel & Events Center that may be completed by late November or December.
Marlin Fellows, Tribal Construction Services manager, said the work is 85 percent complete – currently work crews are painting, doing ceilings, under floor electrical, cabling, floor and wall tiles, plumbing fixtures and kitchen equipment is arriving soon. In addition security cameras are being installed, lighting, exterior synthetic plaster, metal panels, stone work, flashing, along with completing the roof detail work.
He said the Fort Hall Business Council is getting an update from Big D Construction later in the week where a completion date will be addressed. The new contractor took over in May from Ormond Builders who is now suing the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
Amidst the various sounds of construction work, Fellows and Fort Hall Casino Chief Executive Officer Pam Gallegos gave a tour of the new casino. Fellows said the bingo area has more square footage and seats about 350 players. Gallegos said once open, they will be expanding bingo with more games. In addition a snack bar will be available, “Bingo players will love it as they can get food here,” she said and restrooms are available for players.
Near the bingo area is the “Yaha” room that is a non smoking area for casino machines.
Fellows explained in the center of the casino floor and in the high roller area are custom made lighting. In the center of the casino is one that appears to have 12 eagle feathers. In the high roller area is a lighting feature that appears to be upside down hand drums.
Rendering of the cashier area once complete.
There is a Players Club area and next to it is a VIP room where high rollers can relax with frosted glass on the doors. Gallegos said they’re discussing thresholds for the Players Club with three different cards – from month to month it can vary what a player gets.
The new lounge called the “Stampede” is where hard liquor will be served is only open to those 21 years of age and older where drinks can only be consumed and not taken on the casino floor. Gallegos said a new software program will be utilized that takes away the ability to over pour drinks. Upwards of 600 drinks can be programmed – the bartender types in the drink – the program measures and pours it that will save money.
The new buffet area features a variety of stations. An additional 70 food and beverage employees are needed Gallegos said. It has a pizza oven and a live station where omelettes, pasta and other items can bee cooked. There will be different ways of serving and some portion control. Sunday brunch will be offered and the schedule will vary throughout the week.
Next to the buffet is a deli to be open 24 hours a day – 7 days per week (the former Deka Gahni Deli). Fellows said the employee dining area is in the back of the house and there is an egress (walkway for hotel employees).
There is an area for machine technicians where machines can be brought in through the back doors without any area being impeded. A sonic washer is available to clean machines parts and a large room for machines to be worked on. Gallegos said some of the first people they’re going to hire is additional technicians to handle the workload.
There is also a loading dock area, warehouse, housekeeping area and storage rooms in the back of the casino.
There are numerous offices for management although not all departments are moving to the new casino because of lack of space. Human Resources, the Gaming Commission, among others will still be housed in the old casino building.
Outside construction to the new casino building.
Gallegos said ambassadors or greeters inclusive of tribal elders are being hired to work part time in the new casino.
She said they’re redoing their web site where online job applications will be available. A September 20 Job Fair is when many new employees will be hired.
Other plans include:
• An arcade is being set up in half of the exercise room at the Hotel because too many patrons are allowing their children to hang out in the lobby.
• Separate security is being hired for the Hotel referred to as concierge to make rounds. Since casino security is cracking down on unauthorized activity some are frequenting the Hotel so security is also needed there.
• Additional lighting is being put in the casino parking lot and some security guards will be patrolling the area on bicycles.
• The casino is working with Tribal Enterprises on joint ventures such as billboards.
• Beverage servers are being brought back to provide customer service.
• Internships are being offered and employees are encouraged to go college or get training.
• Fire pits are being put behind the Hotel where storytelling will be offered once the new casino is open.
Once the new casino is complete a soft opening will first be conducted then a grand opening around the beginning of 2019.
The FHBC recently authorized an additional $8.9 million to be spent on the new casino and Fellows said it’s for the lawsuit involving Ormond Builders, the exended cost of building it and it was based on a worst case scenario budget that may not all be used. He’s not sure where the funds are coming from.