Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community working to reopen casino

Monday, September 17, 2018  

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is working to reopen its flagship casino, which suffered damage in a storm over a month ago.

The Talking Stick Resort and Casino near Scottsdale, Arizona, closed on August 11 and anticipated re-opening dates have come and gone. It turns out repairs are taking longer than expected, according to an update posted on the facility's website.

"Ongoing repairs to the electrical power system at Talking Stick Resort will require further closure of the property through the month of September," the September 7 update read.

pic.twitter.com/cNLjnTHAkp

— TalkingStickResort (@TS_Resort) September 7, 2018

The Arizona Republic tried to get additional information but said no one from Talking Stick responded. According to an initial statement, the main and backup power generators were damaged by flooding during the August 10 storm. Some areas of the casino itself were also damaged, ABC15 reported.

Nearly 900 people, guests and employees, were forced to evacuate at the time. The casino has had to cancel or postpone a number of events, though some have been shifted to the Casino Arizona, another property on the reservation.

The Talking Stick Golf Club has since reopened, ABC15 reported.

Gamblers want to know: What's taking Talking Stick so long to reopen? (The Arizona Republic September 14, 2018)
Talking Stick Resort to remain closed through September; no reopening date set (ABC15 September 7, 2018)
Talking Stick Resort to remain closed through September (3TV/CBS 5 September 7, 2018)