CABAZON,California
- Gamblers can try their luck for the first time Nov.
15 at the new $250 million Morongo
Casino, Resort and Spa.
The
doors will swing open early.
"I
don't think there will be a huge landslide of people at
7 a.m.," general manager Bill Davis said by phone.
"But
some may want to be first in line and we'll open the doors."
Not
all of the casino's 2,000 slot machines will be operating
when it opens and only the buffet and 24-hour coffee shop
will open at first. The hotel and other restaurants should
be running by Thanksgiving.
About
a month after the "soft" opening, grand-opening
ceremonies will take place for the entire project. About
15,000 people could attend the Dec. 10 grand opening,
police and fire officials have been told.
Private,
invitation-only events before the grand opening will feature
appearances by Tonight Show host Jay Leno and musician
Carlos Santana and on another night, a concert by R&B
stars Beyonce and Destiny's Child, hosted by Nancy O'Dell
of "Access Hollywood."
Local
officials are making plans for handling traffic and any
possible emergencies. Casino officials say new roadwork
and the use of the California Highway Patrol to direct
traffic during the grand opening and beyond - if necessary-
will handle the car and truck volume.
About
2 million visitors are expected annually.
Over
the past two months, several meetings have taken place
involving the Riverside County Fire Department, the California
Highway Patrol, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department,
tribal police and fire officials and casino representatives.
They
are crafting a plan for handling traffic and any police
calls and medical emergencies, said Dale Hutchinson, division
chief for the Oak Glen division of the Riverside County
Fire Department.
The
December grand opening comes during the Christmas shopping
season when the nearby outlet malls are busy, a situation
that could create a traffic headache. The mall and casino
use the same freeway onramps and offramps."
You
need to approach it on a special-event basis and gear
up for the added potential for increased traffic,"
Hutchinson said.
California
Highway Patrol officials could not be reached Wednesday.
When
fully open, the casino will have the largest gaming floor
west of Las Vegas: 148,000 square feet, officials said.
The
tribal casino will feature 75 gaming tables, offering
a range of games from blackjack to California-style craps,
2,000 slot machines, a 14-table poker room and a private,
high-limit area with table games, slots and a VIP lounge
area.
The
new Morongo
Casino, described as a destination resort, rises 27
stories, making it the tallest building in the Inland
area. It includes 272 hotel rooms with 32 suites and a
half-dozen luxury casitas. The casitas can be used as
a getaway or the site of a business meeting or corporate
retreat. Boardroom seating handles up to 12 people and
each casita includes Internet access and audio-visual
services.
Casitas
will go for about $700 a day and regular rooms for about
$160 a day.
Special
rates will vary.
The
hotel tower is topped by a two-story penthouse restaurant
and lounge.
Gourmet dining and complete spa services are also part
of the new Casino
Morongo.
|