Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2004 CNO
CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Casino Resort in Catoosa celebrates its grand opening with three days of music, giveaways and special events, beginning Tuesday, December 7, 2004.Ty England, former guitarist for Garth Brooks, is among the headlining acts for the grand opening, which will feature live music on several stages 14 hours a day.
During the grand opening, Cherokee Casino will give away $1,000 every hour from 4 to 9 p.m., Dec. 7, 8 and 9. Each night at 10 p.m., Cherokee Casino will give away a car: a Pontiac Grand Am on the 7th, a Pontiac Grand Prix on the 8th and a Mercury Grand Marquis on the 9th.
"We’ve built a world-class destination resort and we are going to have a world-class celebration to open it up," said David Stewart, President and CEO of Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which operates Cherokee Casino.
The grand opening showcases Cherokee Nation Enterprises’ new $80 million destination resort, which includes an expanded casino, a 70-par golf course, 150-room hotel with valet service, conference center, three restaurants, a grille, gift shop, sports bar, piano bar and stages for live entertainment. The resort employs 877 people.
"This facility provides jobs and economic development for the whole region," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "Every dollar we make is used either for services here in northeastern Oklahoma or reinvested in our businesses to provide more economic opportunity and jobs, because jobs are essential to keeping our communities strong."
Gaming space at Catoosa has been expanded from 40,000 sq. ft. to 80,000 sq ft. in three distinct gaming environments. The newly constructed casino floor offers 839 electronic gaming machines set in an ornate design of stained glass, colorful hues, wood and iron, along with hints of Cherokee culture strategically placed throughout the facility.
"This property is the first resort destination gaming facility in Oklahoma," Stewart said. "It is a ‘one stop shop’ for daily entertainment with live bands and great food. Friendly service is commonplace. It’s one of a kind."
The newly redesigned Cabin Creek section of the casino offers 401 electronic gaming machines in a country-themed atmosphere. Plasma screen TVs are located throughout Cabin Creek airing country-themed programming and will broadcast all live entertainment acts. The Cabin Creek Smokehouse, adjacent to the casino floor, offers a variety of barbeque entrees.
The well-appointed 150-room hotel features a variety of suites including the Honeymoon Suite and the Chief’s Suite. The art deco and Cherokee culture designed hotel is reminiscent of downtown Tulsa in the 1920’s coupled with a wealth of Cherokee art depicting a legacy of Cherokee customs and traditions. Amenities offered at the hotel include room service, an indoor-outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center and gift shop.
The Wild Potato Buffet, open breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, features a salad bar, a vast array of entrees created by award winning chef Dale Jager and a dessert bar showcasing an elegant chocolate fountain.
Tulsa’s award-winning McGill’s restaurant has opened a fourth location at the resort, featuring the finest steaks, chops and fresh seafood. Open for dinner only, reservations are suggested.
Twisters Sports Bar, home of the soon-to-be famous F5 cocktail, offers a variety of appetizers, live music and other entertainment four nights a week. A unique feature at Twisters Sports Bar is a 210-inch projection screen that drops down from the ceiling. The screen will show everything from sporting events to live entertainment.
The C:Note Piano Lounge is located away from the casino floor adjacent to the hotel lobby. Patrons can enjoy the finest music, from classical to contemporary jazz, while relaxing with a martini, cocktail or glass of wine. Menu items include oysters on the half shell, snow crab claw cocktail, fried calamari and rich flavored smoked salmon.
The Cherokee Hills Golf Club features contoured fairways, undulating greens, challenging bunkers and an exceptional blend of aesthetics for golfers at all skill levels. Cherokee Hills is a redesign of the historic Perry Maxwell course originally built in 1924. The newly constructed golf clubhouse offers a grille, pro shop, locker rooms and meeting space large enough to accommodate up to 140 people.
More than 7,500 sq. ft. of additional meeting space is available throughout the resort including in-house catering and beverage service.
Cherokee Nation Enterprises provides revenue to the Cherokee Nation in the form of a dividend. The money is used to help fund tribal health, education, community services and housing programs.
CNE also operates casinos in West Siloam Springs, Roland, Fort Gibson and Tahlequah as well as Cherokee Outpost convenience stores, Cherokee retail tobacco shops, two gift shops and two golf courses. CNE employs more than 2,000 people throughout northeastern Oklahoma.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |