Hotel Online Special Report

advertisement
Barona Casino, Near San Diego, CA, Unveils Plans for $120 Million Expansion Including 250 Room Hotel 
and Golf Course
 
SAN DIEGO - Jan. 13, 1999--Barona Casino, one of the largest Indian casinos in California, unveiled plans today for a $120 million expansion of the circus-themed casino's master plan. The expansion will more than double the size of the current Barona "Big Top," bringing the total size of the casino to more than 450,000 square-feet.

Clifford La Chappa, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, made the announcement to casino employees. Accompanying him were representatives from Landmark Entertainment, one of the world's leading entertainment and casino designers, and representatives from Gary Roger Baird Designs International, LTD., a leading developer of world-class golf courses.

"We are thrilled to announce the expansion plans for the casino and look forward to bringing the finest in entertainment and gaming to San Diego," said La Chappa. "The growth of the casino will be beneficial to the Barona tribe, casino employees, and the community of San Diego by creating more than 600 new jobs and significantly contribute to the local economy."

According to representatives from Barona Casino and Landmark Entertainment, designer of the future casino resort, the expansion will add two gaming "Big Tops," a hotel/lodge and an 18-hole world-class golf course to the casino.

"I can't tell you how excited Landmark is to be part of the Barona project," said Charles Cancilier, vice president of design for Landmark Entertainment. "We have the opportunity to create not just an exciting new casino, but an overall master plan which promises to transform the Barona property into a spectacular, one-of-a-kind destination and attraction."

Entrance Rotunda

The expansion of the casino will include the development of a 13,000 square-foot entrance rotunda, which will provide a red-carpet welcome to visitors. The breathtaking entrance will introduce Circus Barona, complete with circus trains, colorful flags and banners.
As guests step inside, they will enter the celestial themed rotunda, which will feature a one-of-a-kind 45-foot in diameter working carousel with special lighting effects. In addition, the entrance rotunda will have themed retail stores allowing for a variety of shopping venues.

Main Gaming Big Top

The 56,000 square-foot main gaming big top will present Circus Barona at its best, featuring a brightly-colored turn-of-the-century baroque circus theme complete with a celestial ringmaster. Entering the main big top, visitors will be astounded by the excitement of video gaming machines at eye level. Suspended above the thrill of gaming action, visitors can admire a whimsical fleet of flying contraptions. They will range from Victorian dirigibles announcing the arrival of the circus, to colorful bi-planes set against the majestic backdrop of the night sky with shooting stars.

Visitors will then pass through the Grand Curtain into an actual three-ring circus. Under the big top, gaming will be punctuated by highwire and tightrope animatronics. At center ring, the main big top will showcase a performance stage featuring live entertainment and fanfare nightly.

Secondary Gaming Big Top

Complementing the festivity of the main big top, the expanded casino will feature an additional 56,000 square-feet of entertainment in the secondary gaming big top. Barona Casino will offer a much larger and more luxurious bingo facility which will include a grand ballroom that will also accommodate convention groups. With the circus theme, the secondary big top will also feature a jovial circus mascot. Bingo enthusiasts will enjoy approximately 36,000 square-feet of excitement in the secondary big top. The remaining 20,000 square-feet of space will be devoted to video gaming machines and the Circus Train Steakhouse, which will serve five-star cuisine amidst memories of the traveling circus.

Current Casino Big Top

The existing casino big top, which was erected in 1994, will be expanded to accommodate a 20,000 square-foot Las Vegas-style buffet. The main buffet will host a Victorian town square theme and a gazebo centerpiece, which will serve as a dessert station. The new buffet will seat approximately 700 people and be comprised of a series of dining "action stations," serving a variety of themed cuisine including: All American, All Day Breakfast, Asian, Barbecue, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, and more. In addition, the current big top will have a 3,600 square-foot cafe seating approximately 200 people.

Off-Track Betting

Horse racing fans will enjoy the thrill of a day at the races in the new 7,300 square- foot off-track betting area. Set against the backdrop of some of the world's most renowned racetracks, visitors will experience the excitement of thoroughbred racing on numerous large-screen televisions. The new off-track betting area will also feature the 2,350 square-foot Turf Club Restaurant, offering a variety of dining options.

Additional Casino Features

The expanded Barona Casino will offer other fun, relaxing and convenient features such as an adult arcade, VIP lounge and childcare area. The arcade will showcase refreshments and activities ranging from old-fashioned pitch games to high-tech video simulators. The VIP area will provide a plush environment where casino guests can relax and enjoy club-level food and beverage service, while the childcare area will provide convenient childcare services for both casino guests and employees.

Hotel

For those looking to escape the rigors of the city for relaxation and amusement, the new hotel/lodge will serve as an ideal getaway. Constructed from natural wood timbers and planks creating a rustic homey feel, the hotel/lodge will offer 250 rooms, a cafe which seats approximately 150 people, and banquet and meeting facilities totaling more than 20,000 square-feet of function space. In addition, the hotel/lodge will feature 900 square-foot private guest bungalows, golf course views, and a lavish swimming pool area surrounded by waterfall and rock highlights.

Golf Course

Visitors to Barona will be able to hit the links at an 18-hole world-class golf course adjacent to the hotel/lodge. Gary Roger Baird, leading developer of golf courses such as the Hermitage Golf Course in Nashville, Tenn., and the Shizu International Golf Course and Country Club in Japan, will design an expansive course with a championship length of more than 7,000 yards.

The state-of-the-art course will utilize an elaborate creek network and lake system for irrigation. To preserve the luster of the natural surroundings, native grasses, oak trees and natural rock formations will be incorporated into the design, creating a course which is truly unique to San Diego. 

Barona Casino is the most successful casino in California, with currently 115,000 square-feet of alcohol-free gaming and hospitality space. The casino is owned and operated by the Barona Band of Mission Indians, which is recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation. Barona is located on approximately 5,500 acres in rural eastern San Diego County and is home to approximately 300 people.

For more information about Barona Casino, call toll free 888/7-BARONA.

###
 
Contact:
Bailey/Gardiner
  Joseph Gerbino, 
619/298-9300
 --
 
Also See: Federal Gambling Commissioner Speaks On State of Gambling in the United States / Jan 1999 
Direction of the U.S. Gaming Industry is at Stake on Nov 3, 1998 / Nov 1998 

To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.Online Search
Back to Hotel.Online Press Releases
Home | Welcome! | Hospitality News | Classifieds | Catalogs & Pricing | Viewpoint Forum | Ideas/Trends
Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.