Kalispel Tribe on track with $10.5 million casino and economic development project

Monday, June 4, 2018

Tiny houses under construction for the Kalispel RV Resort, a component of the Kalispel Tribe's new gaming and economic development project in Cusick, Washington. Photo: Kalispel Career Training Center

With the debut of its off-reservation casino in Washington almost two decades ago, the Kalispel Tribe was a pioneer in the Indian gaming industry.

The tribe is now building on the success of the Northern Quest Resort and Casino with a project closer to home. A $10.5 million gaming and economic development project on the reservation is opening in phases this year.

The project is known as the Kalispel Park. The 60-acre development features a gaming facility, a fuel station, a market, a recreational vehicle resort and a storage facility.

"We've always had a dream of developing more here," Chairman Glen Nenema said during a project update ceremony on May 2.

Clockwise from top left: Artist's renderings of the recreational vehicle park, the casino, the gaming floor and the convenience store at Kalispel Park in Cusick, Washington. Images: Kalispel Tribe

The Kalispel Market, Kalispel RV Resort and Kalispel Storage are due to open this summer, KREM reported. The RV resort will feature tiny houses that will be available to rent

The Kalispel Casino is expected to open in the fall. The 20,000 square-foot facility will feature 100 gaming machines, a restaurant and bar and banquet space.

The tribe is also spending $20 million on an expansion at Northern Quest, which is growing by 40,000 square-feet to accommodate a new family friendly entertainment center, a new retail outlet and a larger food court. A recreational vehicle park with amenities like a pool and sports facilities is going up next door as well. Work is expected to be complete before the end of the year.

Northern Quest is located in Airway Heights, near Spokane. Kalispel Park is located in Cusick, about 60 miles north. An auto dealership is already in operation at the site and tribal headquarters is just across the river.

Read More on the Story:
Kalispel Tribe unveils plans for $10.5M casino, development project (KREM May 2, 2018)
Tribe announces ‘Kalispel Park’ RV grounds, casino development in Cusick (The Spokesman-Review May 3, 2018)