Michigan: Saganing Eagles Landing Casino to open expanded gaming floor on August 19

Construction is almost completed for the multimillion-dollar expansion at Saganing Eagles Landing Casino —Standish City, Areca County, Michigan—, and the new hotel is expected to open to the public for reservations the evening of September 8, according to General Manager Bob VanWert.

“The gaming floor, gift shop, restaurant and lounge is scheduled to be open to the public beginning Monday, August 19,” he added, as reported by Arenac County Independent.

The casino broke ground on the expansive project June 2017, with an estimated completion date of early 2019, but the date was later pushed back to fall 2019 because of the complexity of the project and abnormal weather, including an arctic freeze, ice storms and later searing heat.

The Saginaw-based company Spence Brothers has been the contractor for the project, which marks the largest expansion in the hospitality industry for the area in more than a decade. The casino will gain more than 140 hotel rooms, a 200-seat full-service restaurant, a gift shop, 315 additional slot machines and an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and fitness center.

“I believe that this project brings something new and exciting to the area that the residents will enjoy,” VanWert said. “The added amenities will draw visitors to the area who may not have ever been to Arenac County.”

Arenac County Economic Development Director Stephanie Buffman said, from an economic standpoint, she couldn’t be more thrilled about the grand opening as it has created many jobs. “At our last Arenac County EDC meeting, it was reported that the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe had hired over 160 people as a result of their June hiring event and were planning to hire around 70 more,” she said.

Buffman said she expects the casino and hotel to attract people from all over to the area, which will have a positive impact on local businesses.

County Commission Vice-Chairwoman Bobbe Burke also shared her comments about the expansion project. “I’m excited for the hotel to open in that it’s providing a lot of jobs,” Burke said. “And it’s going to be beautiful and will provide us a much- needed venue.”