Casino Golf Resort Trends in Recession
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe doesn't claim to have all the answers. But the Coeur d'Alene Tribe knows one thing for sure. Procedures and strategies put in place before the recession at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort in Idaho paid off. 안전 토토사이트
To prove it, take a look at the resort's highly acclaimed Circling Raven Golf Club, where teesheets have remained nearly at capacity throughout the summer. Further evidence is provided between the casino and golf course, which are eagerly working on an $85 million expansion project. Despite groundbreaking that took a beating in the middle of the country's economic downturn, the project is well ahead of schedule, which is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2011.
"We have tremendous confidence in the future of the reserve here and across the Inland Northwest," said Coeur d'Alene Chairman Allen. "This expansion is a strong statement of its effectiveness. We are committed to long-term success and sustainability in this economy."
Of course, having top-quality golf courses to serve as major attractions has definitely helped with the problem. Since opening its first full season in 2004, Circling Raven has continued to climb the rankings of major golf magazines, from the "Top 100 available courses" to "resort courses" and "casino courses." Reservations for the course have increased by more than 15 percent compared to last year, and its success has played an important role in the resort's sustainable development.
And the Kurdaleneas are not alone. Other tribal nations across the country are using golf as a stepping stone for growth and prosperity, two words that have virtually never existed elsewhere in the industry.
A similar development was recently completed at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Washington, owned and operated by the Squash Island Tribe. The resort doubles the capacity for 190 rooms, adding to the appeal of an Indian-style gaming casino that features more than 1,000 slots and table games. In addition, the new Skikum Creek Event Center is a 22,500-square-foot field venue that hosts live concerts, comedy performances, and cage fights.
And in spring 2011, another big part of the project is expected to be completed with the release of the new Salish Cliffs Golf Club. Industry experts who previewed Jean Bates' design have already touted the golf club as a chance to earn "class-best" honors.
Then there is the Island Resort & Casino, located on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The resort, two hours north of Green Bay, is owned and operated by the Hannaville Indian Community of Potawatomi Nation. The property survived tough economic times and added Sweetgrass Golf Club last year. The resort's newest amenities immediately earned national acclaim, including a spot on Golf Digest's list of "America's Best New Courses." The par-72, 7,300-yard Paul Albanese Championship design also rose to No. 14 on Golf Week's Best Play-to-In-State list, six spots higher than 2009.
"This course really opened up a new market for us," says Tom McChesney, general manager of Sweetgrass' Island Resort & Casino, which made Golfweek's top 10 new public courses list in 2009 and had the second-lowest green fee of all the courses listed. "When we started building Sweetgrass nearly five years ago, we had no idea what was going to happen to the economy. The addition of Sweetgrass allows us to add another great product to our customers while also providing the complex with much-needed growth opportunities."
