May 31, 2017
BROOKS, CA (May 31, 2017) – With community members, neighbors and local leaders looking on, leaders of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation “broke pavement” for the long-needed expansion of the hotel at their Cache Creek Casino Resort.
Up to 459 new rooms will be added, as well as a pool, restaurant, additional meeting space and a multipurpose ballroom.
“This expansion is an incredible opportunity for our entire community,” said Leland Kinter, Yocha Dehe Tribal Chairman. “We will finally be able to invite more of our guests to stay, saving trips on the road, and offer more rooms and amenities for our neighbors and other local visitors.”
The ceremonial “pavement breaking” took place on a small portion of the south parking lot, where the new building will rise. The expanded hotel will be built totally within the existing developed footprint of the Resort, on the site of the original casino and bingo hall.
“This is an investment, not just in our resort, but in our region,” added Chairman Kinter. “It will generate up to 500 construction jobs over the two year building period, and more than 200 ongoing hospitality jobs when fully operational. Plus, it will be a significant long term community asset as Capay Valley grows as an agri-tourism destination.”
“We welcome this important investment in our community by Yocha Dehe and the Cache Creek Casino Resort,” said Duane Chamberlain, Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors who represents District 5, which includes the Capay Valley. “Already the largest private employer in our County, the Tribe has been and continues to be an incredibly active community partner, supporting many important programs and initiatives.”
Since the Cache Creek Casino Resort opened in 2004, it has consistently enjoyed strong customer support. But, a shortage of hotel rooms to offer guests has been a consistent challenge.
The architecture of the expansion will match the aesthetics of the existing hotel, fit the natural backdrop of the Capay Valley, and incorporate the high quality finish standards demonstrated in the Yocha Dehe Golf Club and Séka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room.
The tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and Yocha Dehe requires the Tribe to negotiate and mitigate off-reservation impacts that result from this expansion project. In addition to mitigating these impacts, the Tribe and County have renewed and extended their historic, voluntary Memorandum of Understanding/Intergovernmental Agreement (MOU/IGA). The original Yocha Dehe ”Breaks Pavement” on Hotel Expansion at Cache Creek MOU/IGA was signed by both parties in 2002, and served as a model for the rest of Indian Country in working cooperatively with local governments.
The renegotiated agreement will provide Yolo County with $6.2 million dollars in unrestricted funds annually for the 22-year life of the agreement, and will be adjusted for inflation. These funds can be used for critical county government programs, including rural law enforcement services in the Capay Valley. It also provides a framework for cooperation among the Tribe, County and local community on projects and programs that benefit all.
In addition, the Tribe will pay for two additional County Sheriff’s deputies and their vehicles, provide annual funding for enhanced fire service for the area, and commit $5 million to towards road improvements. Also, under the new IGA, the Tribe will provide the local Capay Valley community a direct and annual $300,000 commitment for enhancements to the area.
The approximately $200 million dollar hotel project is expected to be complete by December 2018.