May 28, 2010--The Coeur d'Alene Tribe decided more than two years ago it wanted its casino and hotel, near Worley, to be known as one of the region's destination resorts.

It already had a widely prized golf course and a lucrative casino.

The next step was for the tribe's business managers to commit to spending roughly $75 million to upgrade the accommodations at its Coeur d'Alene Casino.

Last year it started work on the expansion, which will give the hotel more rooms and give guests more recreation and dining choices.

When completed next year, the hotel will have 98 rooms in two four-story wings to be added on the east side of the property.

One of the wings will include a gourmet steakhouse. The other will have a 15,000-square-foot spa and pool.

An indoor-outdoor pub and eatery is also planned alongside the casino's remodeled main entrance.

Outside, the tribe is transforming about 10 acres along the front of the property into a grassy park, with a pond and natural amphitheater for shows, meetings or fireworks.

Parking areas will be relocated and bordered with several hundred trees -- pines and aspens -- to create a green buffer between Highway 95 and the main entrance.

"The tribe sees this as a way to continue its investment in the region and in the community," said spokesman Bob Bostwick.

The project will add more than 100 jobs inside the casino and resort.

General contractor is Hartanov Fuller of Spokane; the architect for the expansion is Mithun Architects of Seattle.

Salvation Army shows off refinished gym

Spokane's Salvation Army is hosting an open house for its refinished gym at 222 E. Indiana on June 8. The open house starts at 5:15 p.m.

The new floor resulted from a donation by Hoopfest, which takes on community projects as part of its commitment to the area.

Kimmel Athletic Supply Co. and Ruehl Construction Inc. contributed to the hoops, backboards and installation of the backboards.

Office Depot upgrades Division store

Office Depot celebrated the grand re-opening of its remodeled Spokane store Thursday. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was highlighted by donations to three nonprofit organizations.

The Office Depot Foundation donated 100 children's backpacks and a $100 contribution each to the Northeast Youth Center, YMCA of the Inland Northwest and Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County.

The upgraded store is at 4511 N. Division St. The front of the store was simplified to feature Office Depot's Copy & Print Depot and Tech Services adjacent to the cash registers.

The store employs seven full-time and nine part-time employees. The manager, Vince Penoyer, has been with Office Depot about 19 years.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (509) 484-7220.

Chopper shop celebrates new location

Killing Machine Choppers NW will celebrate its new location on Highway 2 and Idaho Avenue in Oldtown, Idaho, with a veterans benefit rally June 12 at noon.

Proceeds will go to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Riders and other organizations that support veterans.

The rally will feature live music, a beer garden, a bikini bike wash, merchandise vendors and custom bike and car shows.

The custom chopper shop closed its Diamond Lake location last fall and moved into a larger shop at 311 N. Idaho Ave. It's owned and operated by Peter "Algie" Pirrello and Lisa "Hun" Smith.

Fore more information, call (208) 437-0578.

Deputy City Editor Scott Maben contributed to this report. Here's the Dirt is a weekly report on new developments and business openings, closings or movement in the Inland Northwest. E-mail [email protected] or call (509) 459-5528.

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