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Press Release: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
December 9, 2002
PALM SPRINGS, CA -- The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians broke ground Friday on an ambitious $90 million
new casino project. The new Spa Resort Casino, located in the heart of Palm Springs, will cover an entire city
block and is expected to spark further revitalization in the downtown area. Completion of the project is targeted
for November 2003, and will replace the existing Spa Casino operation.
Joining Tribal Chairman Richard M. Milanovich in the groundbreaking ceremony were Vice-Chairman Barbara Gonzales
Lyons, Secretary/Treasurer Moraino J. Patencio, Council Member Candace C. Patencio and Council Member Jeannette
Prieto-Dodd.
"This is a grand day in the history of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and of Palm Springs,"
Milanovich said. "This ambitious casino project will make Palm Springs California's premiere casino destination."
The new Spa Resort Casino will be located northeast and diagonally across from the existing property and will encompass
an entire city block, bordered by Amado Road on the north, El Segundo on the east, Andreas Road on the south and
Calle Encilia on the west. The site is approximately a quarter mile from the Palm Springs Convention Center and
Indian Canyon Drive.
World-class architects Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo and designers Dougall Design each sport impressive client
lists in the United States and abroad. The casino's exteriors and interiors will reflect a style of casual elegance.
The casino's cream-colored stucco walls will rise from the surrounding lush landscaping and trelliswork. The unique
roof is a configuration of turrets, topped by varying shades of blue concrete tile, bringing to mind the Tribe's
historical association with the area's waters. Marble and rich woods will adorn the casino's interiors.
"Our selecting Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo and Dougall Design to bring the project to life is telling,"
Milanovich said. "We are very serious about creating a unique destination that will transform the region,
and we have chosen the best creative teams to bring that vision from discussion to reality."
In the new casino, players will find all their favorite games, including approximately 1,000 of the latest slots
and video poker machines and more than 40 table games. An elegant high-limit area, the Salon Prive, will cater
to guests who prefer a more private gaming setting. A player's club will offer incentives for frequent players.
The new Spa Resort Casino will feature three restaurants, including a 300-seat buffet, a casually elegant restaurant
with exterior dining terraces and a sports bar serving light meals and beverages in a sports-theme environment.
The property will also include a 150-seat lounge with evening entertainment and a central bar on the casino floor.
Ample parking at the casino includes 1,303 spaces, including regular and handicapped-accessible spaces. An additional
parking lot will be conveniently located across Amado Road. Luxury shuttles will transport guests to and from the
casino and the hotel.
Milanovich said, "This project will increase revenues for Palm Springs by bringing more destination visitors
to the city that would normally go to Las Vegas, because it is one of California's most prestigious casinos as
well as a destination. The new Spa Resort Casino will make Palm Springs even more of an attraction because visitors
can now enjoy a casino as well as everything Palm Springs has to offer in terms of arts, entertainment and our
unique atmosphere."
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has a longstanding tradition of major activity and visibility in the
Coachella Valley. The Tribe set an historic precedent by becoming the first Native American Tribe to own and operate
two gaming facilities in California, when it opened the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage in April 2001.
Over the past six years, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has donated more than $8 million to a long
list of groups with special needs, including local community, civic and non-profit organizations. The Tribe recently
announced it is supplementing the pay of all of its employees who serve in the U.S. military.
Source: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians