'We're going to be an economic powerhouse': River Cree breaks ground on $200M expansion
The River Cree Resort and Casino is planning to nearly double its size.
Ground broke on Friday on an expansion that includes 240 hotel rooms, around 40,000 feet of event space and a new swimming pool.
The River Cree Resort and Casino opened as a partnership in 2006, but Enoch Cree Nation is now the sole owner after buying out Paragon Gaming in 2014 and then Marriott Hotels in 2018.
"(It) means a lot to our Nation, as there's an opportunity for us to build capacity in our next generations to come, but to (also) provide sustainable resources for our nation as well," said Enoch Cree Nation Chief Cody Thomas.
The expansion will cost around $200 million dollars and will be paid for entirely from money made at the casino.
A rendering of the lobby area of the new River Cree Resort and Casino expansion, which broke ground Sept. 7, 2024. (Supplied) Enoch Cree Nation Council said the casino and new expansion could serve as a blueprint for other First Nations to grow their economies.
"Enoch, maskêkosihk as we're traditionally known, is going to continue to grow and we're going to be an economic powerhouse," said Enoch Cree Nation Coun. John Thomas.
"If we can do it, you can do it as well," Thomas said. "Uplifting one another, that's the goal, right? Our brothers and sisters shouldn't be left behind."
"The success of the River Cree resort is a testament to the ability of Enoch Cree Nation being able to get things done," said Andrew Boitchenko, a parliamentary secretary for Indigenous Relations.
The expansion is expected to be completed in spring 2027.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
What we know about the suspect behind the German Christmas market attack
Germany on Saturday was still in shock and struggling to understand the suspect behind the attack in the city of Magdeburg.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
Overheated immigration system needed 'discipline' infusion: minister
An 'overheated' immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Pope Francis reprimands Vatican staff for gossiping in annual Christmas message
Pope Francis told Vatican bureaucrats on Saturday to stop speaking ill of one another, as he once again used his annual Christmas greetings to admonish the backstabbing and gossiping among his closest collaborators.