Coeur d’Alene Tribe opens event center as part of facility upgrade

Another Idaho tribal casino is betting that upgrades to its gaming floor and event center will increase visitation.

Just two months after the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe unveiled a $35 million casino expansion at its Fort Hall location, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has also upped its game with the planned opening of its new event center at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel.

Country singer Cole Swindell will mark the opening of the event center on May 3. The concert series will also feature performances from Wynonna Judd, Lee Brice, LOCASH, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Warrant, Vince Neil and Scotty McCreery, with more artists to be announced.

The new event center, located at 37914 South Nukwalqw St. in Worley, is 15,000 square feet and has a capacity of 1,450 seats with no sight line obstructions.

“We are realizing a vision, on a much grander scale than originally planned, and well ahead of schedule,” Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel CEO Francis SiJohn said in a press release.

“We spared no expense in the design and materials necessary for this new venue and these amenities afford us the ability to program and present world-class marquee artists, of the highest level, right here in Worley, Idaho.”

The tribe also is undertaking a major expansion of its gaming facility. A redesign of the gaming floor, upgrade of the ventilation systems, new high-limit area and new bar are planned.

Overall, the remodel will cover 68,400 square feet of the property, according to officials. In the meantime, some gaming areas have been moved to allow for construction.

The tribe has been celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the casino all year. The facility began as a modest bingo hall in 1993, and now features a 300-room hotel, seven restaurants and lounges, a luxury spa and a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor.

The casino resort is among the largest employers in North Idaho, with 850-1,100 employees depending on the season. It has contributed more than $33.3 million to education in the region since it opened.