By DENISE RAYMO
AKWESASNE — Completion of the first phase of a $55 million expansion at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino was celebrated Wednesday with the grand opening of a new food area and gift shop.
Rapids Food Court and Reflections gift shop are two of the latest additions to the growing enterprises housed in the casino complex.
The three-year construction plan has also added Sticks restaurant; a second casino entrance, with an expanded coat check and cashier area; additional restrooms; and an adjoining building called Cascades, which holds 800 slot machines.
FOOD, SHOP JOBS
In addition of the choice of eating at the Harvest Buffet Dining Room or Sticks, nearly 90 casino guests can now slip in to the Food Court for a quick bite at one of three stations: The Grill, The Bakery or Pizza Etc.
Almost 30 jobs were added with the opening of the Food Court and gift shop, which features the casino’s logo on items such as baseball caps, T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts, said Darlene Dilcox, assistant general manager at the casino.
She began her career at the casino, managing the previous gift shop, and she was put in charge of making all the decisions for the new one, including selecting stock and new merchandise.
Sports memorabilia is also part of Reflections gift shop, with autographed football helmets, signed jerseys and framed color photographs with authentic signatures.
The items are rotated, depending on the sports season, Dilcox said.
ECONOMIC BOOST
About 100 people including John Sabini, chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, and Mike Lettig, Native American Services director for Key Bank, were on hand for the ribbon cutting.
Sabini told the crowd that the casino “is an amazing economic engine” for the region and that even in the shaky state and federal economy, gaming will continue to sustain local programs and services.
He said the Akwesasne casino is “an example to all gaming across the country.”
Lettig said Key Bank saw the potential in the Tribal Council’s plans five years ago and knew with the integrity and leadership of St. Regis, “this would be a jewel and pride of the tribe.”
‘FOCAL POINT’
St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council Chief Mark Garrow said he worked in gaming when the casino first opened, “and to see the tremendous growth to where it is today is incredible.
“And the dedication of the staff is the backbone of this operation,” he added.
Casino General Manager Patrick Bassney said that even though he has only been at the helm for six months, he sees the casino as “the focal point of the community” and praised the Tribal Council “for its foresight in looking ahead to future development.
“This is a multi-million-dollar venture for the community we will make into a destination resort,” Bassney said.
Tribal Chief James Ransom said the tribe’s gaming operations has poured $60 million into local services for the Akwesasne people since 2005 and has had an economic impact on the North Country of about $119 million since 2008.
E-mail Denise A. Raymo at:
draymo@pressrepublican.com
