Western Michigan is getting ready for a new casino. The Gun Band of Pattawatomi Native Americans, are building a casino and entertainment complex. Their goal was to not create the typical tribal casino. (Although, they do admit that their is nothing wrong with them.) They wanted to bring in something different. They consulted with some of the best experts in the gaming and entertainment industries so they could have a “one-of-a-kind” casino. The Gun Band of Pattawatomi Native Americans wanted their casino to be contemporary, warm, and luxurious. The Gun Lake Casino will feature close to 1,400 casino slot games and 36 table games. The complex will have a cafe, food court, bars and lounges. The Gun Lake Casino is hoping to be not just a place for gambling but a place where patrons can meet up with their friends to socialize.
Unfortunately, the Gun Lake Casino, has it a few stumbling blocks. With the economy in the United States in a stall, some funding has run low for the construction of the casino, and efforts to erect the building have slowed to a trickle. However steps were taken in the past week to help get the project moving forward again. The Gun Band of Pattawatomi Native Americans announced that they have secured a $165 million loan. The loan was arranged with Goldman Sachs. The five year loan was negotiated with a 12 percent interest rate and can be paid off in its third year. “With this loan, we are confident we can quickly build a state-of-the-art facility that will be competitive with any casino in Western Michigan,” said Tribal Chairman D.K. Sprague.
The construction of the Gun Lake Casino is bringing jobs into a community that is in need of some. The construction phase alone brought 750 jobs, with many more once the casino is operational. No matter what has transpired (or not transpired) in the past Mr. Sprague confidently said that the casino is a go. Currently, the opening is planned for early 2011
