To meet growing reservation demands for guests and larger parties, FireKeepers Casino Hotel announced recently its plans to construct a second hotel tower at its gambling venue in Battle Creek, Michigan.
According to the Battle Creek Enquirer…
Firekeepers officials communicated that occupancy for the past few years for the 243-room hotel tower has exceeded 95 percent. Owned and operated by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, the hotel opened in December 2012, while the gaming facility opened three years prior. An increasing demand for accommodations served as the catalyst for the new addition, which the tribe plans to move forward with.
Chief Executive Officer for Firekeepers, Kathy George, said…
“What we’re looking at the tower doing for us is allowing us to continue to bring more visitors for meetings and additional conferences and just bringing more visitors to the area. We’ve been partners with the area for nine years, and we’re looking forward to continuing that.”
George said that while serious discussions regarding a second hotel tower began some six months ago, there was already talk about another being built when the first hotel was newly opened.
According to the news outlet…
Tentative plans for the new hotel tower include some 200 guest rooms, with the possibility of larger meeting and event space and a restaurant, said George.
Future plans:
No date has been set for the groundbreaking. FireKeepers will reportedly announce details regarding budget, amenities and jobs, as the project develops.
Chairman for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Council, Jamie Stuck, said…
“Today’s announcement is the first step in the process, as we secure architects and constructions management.? This is a key step in our Strategic Plan for FireKeepers to provide for future generations of our tribe.”
Located in Emmett Township off I-94, on land held in trust for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band by the federal government. The casino’s 111,700-square-foot gaming floor features 2,900 slot machines, 70 table games, a poker room and a bingo room.
FireKeeper’s recently expanded 243-room 8-story resort-style hotel features a multi-purpose event center with seating for up to 2,000 people, business center, six dining areas, including a full-service restaurant, exercise facility, indoor pool and multiple lounges and entertainment venues.
Revenue sharing:
Nearly $1.9 million was distributed to local governments by the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board (FLRSB) during the first year of casino operations.
In February this year, the tribe gave a check for $5,656,690 to the FLRSB. The state of Michigan received $18,126,750 from the tribe. It is the fifth consecutive year, FireKeepers Casino Hotel has given more than $5 million to local schools and governments.