Tulsa's River Spirit Casino Resort all set for New Year's opening

Speakers touched on economic impact figures, job creation numbers and turning Tulsa into a destination locale, but nearly all of them circled back to one defining characteristic — the magnificent views along the Arkansas River.

Twenty-fifth floor windows offered sweeping visions of the sandy riverbed and Turkey Mountain in its winter colors, as well as downtown Tulsa’s skyline and RiverWalk Crossing in Jenks.

Pat Crofts, CEO of Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos, said the resort’s tropical theme folds in nicely with the Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant that has already opened during the two-year expansion.

“This is a beautiful facility,” Crofts said. “You can pick it up and put it anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world, and we could compete with any resort anywhere you go.”

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Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, said the expansion will provide about 1,000 new direct jobs on top of about 1,050 that already exist there. The resort will generate an annual economic impact of about $135 million, he said

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Neal emphasized that three recent projects — A Gathering Place for Tulsa, the Arkansas River low-water dams in the Vision package, and the Margaritaville expansion — represent about $1 billion in capital investments in riverfront development.

Comparatively, about $1 billion has been invested in downtown Tulsa across a decade. That work has included the BOK Center, ONEOK Field, hotels, museums and street work, Neal noted.

“There’s a ton of economic development occurring now on and near the river,” Neal said. “And I really think these projects will serve as an initial catalyst to kick off riverfront development for decades to come.”

The hotel tower features 483 rooms, 54 suites, a fitness center, a spa and salon, retail stores and a business center.
Crofts said the result isn’t just a destination for locals. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation will roll out ads into “feeder markets” throughout the Midwest and the rest of the country to attract outside visitors. He said this is the first time Tulsa locals and guests can relax and enjoy the banks of the Arkansas River at a resort.

“This is riverfront development on steroids,” Crofts said.

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The hotel’s ribbon cutting isn’t the last opening on the calendar as part of the expansion

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Country artist Chris Young will be the first performer in the 2,700-seat Paradise Cove Theater on Jan. 6.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, a high-end restaurant, will open to the public Jan. 24.

The resort’s pool and riverfront entertainment area, along with swim-up seating at a beach bar, will open when weather permits.

“Come spring there’ll be some beautiful parties out at the pool, and you’re all invited,” Crofts said.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum also spoke, offering a historical perspective to the milestone.

To fully understand the “enormity” of the moment, Bynum said, one must venture back 180 years and remember why the Muscogee (Creek) Nation came to this spot. The tribe came in midst of tragedy, he said, and Tulsa exists where it does today because the tribe buried ceremonial ashes from its native lands here.

“I think the story between that time in the 1830s and this moment today is a story of resilience,” the mayor said. “I’m here not just to celebrate what is a world-class facility in a city that aspires to be world class, but also on behalf of all my fellow citizens of Tulsa to thank you for your resiliency, for your stewardship of this part of the world.

“It has been wonderful for us as a city to grow by your side, and it is exciting to be a part of that growth moving forward.”