Wilton Rancheria to open Sky River Casino in September
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Elk Grove will welcome the new Sky River Casino this September, around two months ahead of the original timeline. The construction process has taken less time than expected, so guests will be able to enjoy all the 100,000-square-foot casino has to offer very soon. The hiring process continues as the property prepares to open.
Under Construction Since March 2021
The Wilton Rancheria tribe is behind the project, along with Boyd Gaming, a casino developer based in Las Vegas. The construction process began in March 2021 when a ground-breaking ceremony was held in California. The casino is located on 35 acres of land and will cost around $500 million once completed.
The tribe and Elk Grove feel that the casino will be a regional destination for travelers and an economic powerhouse for Elk Grove. The Wilton Rancheria sees the casino as a way to provide self-sufficiency for the tribe.
It took a long time for the tribe to see the project come to fruition. The federal designation of the tribe was taken away almost six decades ago and was not restored until 2009. At that point, it would take several years of battling the legal system to earn a gaming compact and purchase land to create the casino.
Jesus Tarango, the Wilton Rancheria Tribal Chairman, by stating that the tribe has fought for decades for self-sufficiency and tribal recognition for the land of the project.
“We are privileged to partner with Boyd Gaming and look forward to the opening of Sky River, which will bring jobs and long-term benefits to our tribe, our community, and the region.”
Additional Details of Sky River
Sky River Casino has already provided employment opportunities during the construction phase, and even more jobs are coming once the casino is up and running. It has been estimated that as many as 1,700 construction employees are working on the project.
For the actual gaming floor and dining options on-site, the casino will hire 2,000 individuals. Hiring events have already taken place so the tribe can ensure positions are filled before opening day. All types of positions were available during an early May hiring event.
It was expected that the casino would open in November 2022. However, by March of 2022, the construction crew was already working on the gaming floor, restaurants, and marketplace. The process went faster than expected, so the tribe can hold its opening ceremony in September to welcome its first guests.
