November 2011 CUJ - Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian ...

Everybody’s impressed with new Hotel TowerBy the CUJPENDLETON – Through the confetti,you could see smile after smile, and someproud faces, too, as Wildhorse Resort’snew Hotel Tower and casino expansionwere formerly inaugurated with a ribboncutting ceremony Oct. 12.Wildhorse CEO Gary George andCTUIR Board of Trustees Chairman LesMinthorn cut the ribbon between the hotellobby and the new gaming floor. Theywere accompanied by Pendleton Chamberof Commerce Ambassadors and ErnieStevens, chairman of the National IndianGaming Association, who took a red-eyeflight from Washington, D.C., to be herefor the celebration.Tribal member Janice Hill may havesummed it up the best when she talkedabout what impressed her most aboutthe new hotel.“It looks fun when you come in thedoor,” Hill said. “You know you are goingto have fun.”Stevens said he was impressed by thesize of the hotel.“You come here and you see thebeauty and the size of it. You have a LasVegas look but you’re still in the heart ofIndian Country,” Stevens said.Stevens said he also was glad to seeIndians working at the hotel.“There are lots of strong beautifulpeople in Indian Country and I love tosee employees working,” he said. “I gotup this morning and zigzagged acrossthe country because I was determined tostand by my word and be here.”Also in attendance was PendletonMayor Phil Houk who said members ofthe CTUIR should be proud of the newhotel.“It’s a really beautiful place,” Houksaid. “The customers are going to beWildhorse CEO Gary George and CTUIR Board of Trustees Chairman Les Minthorn cut the ribbonat the grand opening of the Wildhorse Hotel and casino expansion. The Pendleton Chamber ofCommerce Ambssdors were on hand. Below, George with Ernie Stevens, chairman of the NationalIndian Gaming Association.Pendleton MayorPhil Houkimpressed.”Houk said he thinks the hotel, and allthe Wildhorse amenities, plus growth atCoyote Business Parknearby, should helpPendleton’s economy,too.“I hope it will generatemore foot traffic,”he said. “From abroader scope, I thinkthis will spill over sothat businesses willsee additional revenuesfrom those thatcome to town.”Houk said he realizesthat most of the people working atTribal enterprises live in Pendleton andspend their money in Pendleton.“I’ve always felt like the Tribes are agood partner with Pendleton,” he said.One after another, people talked aboutwhat impressed them most on that openingafternoon event.CTUIR member Kaeleen McGuire,By the numbers:- 202 rooms ranging from 452square feet to 637 square feet- Total of 145,000 square feeton 10 floors- Room rates ranging from $89to $199 depending on the roomsize and day of the week- 400 additional slot machineson 24,000 square feet ofexpanded casino floor- Total cost $50 millionwho works with Stevens at NIGA – “Ilove the coffee machines in the rooms.That is such a nice touch. I’ve also noticedthe customer service.”Robert McKenzie of Pendleton – “It’sthe best thing that’s happened in thearea. I think it’s a good thing for thosethat want it. We don’t gamble but I liketo see what’s going on. This hotel bringsa lot of people to the area that wouldn’tbe here ordinarily.”Dee Pigsley, chair of the Siletz Tribeon the Oregon Coast – “It’s very beautiful.Done very very well. The machinesare new and I know you will be verysuccessful.”Cyndy Caldwell, member of the PendletonChamber of Commerce Ambassadors,who helped with the ribbon cutting– “I’m most impressed with the fact thatit is drawing a lot of outside people toPendleton and the fact it will provide jobsfor the people in the community.”November Special5-Meat StuffedONLY$11Family size$2 more541-276-7272613 SW EmigrantOpen Daily 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.We gladly accept EBT.Paid Political AdNovember 2011Confederated Umatilla Journal23