The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona is holding a groundbreaking ceremony today for its off-reservation casino.
The tribe announced the $500 million West Valley
Resort in January 2009.
After years of opposition and litigation, the city of Glendale agreed to support the project, which remains controversial among other tribes and politicians elsewhere in the state.
The facility will be located on land that was taken into trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in connection with the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Act of 1986.
No federal agency has said whether the site can be used for gaming but Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn indicated it is eligible under the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act.
Get the Story:
Tribe to break ground on Glendale casino this week
(The Arizona Republic 8/28)
Tohono O'odham Nation To Break Ground On West Valley Casino
(KJZZ 8/28)
Tribe to break ground on casino near Glendale
(The Phoenix Business Journal 8/27)
Groundbreaking Ceremony Tomorrow for Tohono O'odham Nation's WV Casino
(The Phoenix New-Times 8/27)
Tohono O'odham plan to break ground on Glendale casino
(AP 8/27)
Related Stories:
Rival tribe spends big in fight over
Tohono O'odham Nation casino (8/25)