Hotel tops out at 14th story
By Brandon Frye
Choctaw Nation
Durant, Okla. - The Choctaw Nation held a topping out ceremony, a construction milestone, for the Choctaw Casino Resort Expansion in Durant on Oct. 30.
The event was held atop the current parking garage, with a view of the construction and casino grounds. Dignitaries, employees, as well as anyone in attendance signed the last beam to be placed on the new hotel tower, and a tree was hoisted and placed on the newly finished top floor to symbolize growth and offer thanks for the natural materials used in construction.
Chief Gary Batton said this expansion is an investment in tribal members, in the community of Durant, and in this area of the country.
“One of the things that is important to us is the economic impact that we have here in Durant,” Batton said. “We’ve had over 400 people working on this particular site. Once we finish, we will hire more than 300 people—that’s over 700 employment opportunities for our people here in southeastern Oklahoma.”
He went on to explain the Nation is working to make the area a regional tourist destination. “We believe in investing in tourism, not only here, but we are trying to invest throughout the 10 1/2 counties. We want people to come and visit north Texas and southeastern Oklahoma,” Batton said.
In addition to the new hotel tower featuring 231 rooms, 55 suites, and a full-service spa with a hair and nail salon, the expansion will include an event venue and additional conference space. In Fall 2015, the expansion will be completed and feature 600 additional slot machines, more food and beverage options, and an entertainment complex featuring a 20-lane bowling alley, arcade, laser tag, and cinema complex with four state-of-the-art theaters.
Janie Dillard, Executive Director of Gaming for the Choctaw Nation, said the reasons for the expansion are to continue the growth of the Nation’s economic development, bring more jobs to southeastern Oklahoma, and develop this property to a full family oriented resort so the whole family can come and enjoy entertainment.
“We are beginning to lay a foundation, this is the first phase of many other openings, and we aren’t finished yet,” Dillard said.