The popular Angel of the Winds Casino north of Arlington is tripling its size in a $44 million expansion, its first major construction project since it opened in October 2004.
Cranes, excavators, dump trucks and construction equipment are all over the site, setting up the future foundation for the casino’s growth.
More than 84,000 square feet will be added to the existing facility, with a three-story building that will double the casino’s gaming area and move administrative offices from on-site trailers into permanent offices, said General Manager Travis O’Neil.
“We’ve listened to our guests, and our expansion will provide them with the new services and amenities they requested,” O’Neil said. “New features will include a 150-seat full-service restaurant, a larger gift shop, a lounge with live entertainment, and more slots and tables, plus a separate eight-table poker room and a keno room.”
Today, the casino has 535 slot machines, 12 gaming tables, the Bears Den lounge and Katie’s Kitchen. When the new addition to the casino opens near the end of this year the Stillaguamish Tribe will have a total of 1,000 slots and 14 gaming tables. More than 250 new employees will be hired, bringing the casino’s total to just over 500 people.
“The Tulalip and Skagit casinos each have their own niche, and so do we,” said O’Neil.
“We call ourselves ‘the friendliest casino,’ and the people we hire support that. People really enjoy coming here for that friendliness and, of course, a lot of winning,” he said. “We also have low-priced meals, plenty of parking and a variety of gaming options. The success of the casino, and our expansion plans, depends on the executive team, of course, but very much on the people we hire.”
The Stillaguamish Tribes’ advertisements and promotions claim their casino is the world’s friendliest.
Whether or not Angel of the Winds would take top place for friendliness in an international casino competition, visitors certainly will find ample evidence of a consistently friendly attitude among the staff, whether they’re serving lines of people at Kate’s Kitchen, helping new visitors understand the machines or welcoming visitors at the front door.
“When we’re three times as big, our success will depend on finding people who enjoy working here, have a positive attitude and a willingness to be friendly with people. That’s important to us,” said O’Neil.
As for future growth, O’Neil said the tribe isn’t “jumping into hotels or things like our competitors but later it will depend on what our guests want.”
Guest requests helped the tribe to plan the present expansion, Director of Marketing Eric Larsen said.
“That’s why we’ve added a large sit-down restaurant and bar with live entertainment and a separate poker room, plus a larger gift shop,” Larsen said. “There’ll even be a small banquet room seating up to 48 people.”
The gaming area itself will more than double with the addition of 17,000 square feet to the present 15,000 square feet. ICI Design Group of Minneapolis and JE Dunn Construction Co.’s Northwest office in Seattle, builders of the original casino, are the same architectural and construction firms for the present expansion project.
The casino has established an extensive support network of local businesses that provide discounts or special offers to their customers who bring in Totem Players Club membership cards.
The retailers, all publicized on the casino’s Web site, include espresso stands, landscaping and yard services, flower shops, dog kennels, motels, grocery stores and restaurants.
Also, as part of its contract with the state of Washington, the casino will continue to dedicate thousands of dollars to nonprofit organizations twice a year. Primary areas targeted by the Stillaguamish Tribe focus on seniors, children, health care and eduction needs.
In 2007, a donation of $181,132 went to such groups as the Camano Senior and Community Center, Arlington Library, Arlington Boys &Girls Club, Campfire USA, Arlington Dollars for Scholars, Red Cross, Center for Battered Women, Sno-Isle Genealogical Society, Native American Spiritual Group, Sarvey Wildlife Center and North County Fire/EMS District 14.
Located only three minutes’ drive east from I-5’s Exit 210 interchange, the casino remains open during the building stage. Photos of the construction progress can be seen on the casino’s Web site, www.angelofthewinds.com.
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