Post by Moon Seeker on Jul 17, 2008 12:41:13 GMT -5
Indian tribe plans casino for former Muskegon race track
FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP (AP) — An American Indian tribe plans to open its second casino in West Michigan at a closed thoroughbred horse racing track in the Muskegon area.
The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians said Wednesday it's buying Great Lakes Downs in Fruitport Township. The tribe's Little River Casino Resort is near Manistee.
Canada's Magna Entertainment closed the track last fall, saying it lost money there for years.
Tribal Chief Larry Romanelli, a Muskegon businessman, said the casino planned for the closed track site would bring jobs, businesses and tourism to the area.
Township Supervisor Ronald Cooper said it's too early to know how the Township Board will react.
WZZM-TV reported that the tribe has already bought the property for between $6 million and $9 million, but state approval for a casino there may be a difficult obstacle because the property is not on tribal land. However, the tribe's director of commerce told WZZM-TV that he believes they qualify under an existing 1998 compact and said the tribe currently has more than 600 members living in the Muskegon area.
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On the Net:
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians: www.lrboi.com
www.grandhaventribune.com/paid/292173866069723.bsp
FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP (AP) — An American Indian tribe plans to open its second casino in West Michigan at a closed thoroughbred horse racing track in the Muskegon area.
The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians said Wednesday it's buying Great Lakes Downs in Fruitport Township. The tribe's Little River Casino Resort is near Manistee.
Canada's Magna Entertainment closed the track last fall, saying it lost money there for years.
Tribal Chief Larry Romanelli, a Muskegon businessman, said the casino planned for the closed track site would bring jobs, businesses and tourism to the area.
Township Supervisor Ronald Cooper said it's too early to know how the Township Board will react.
WZZM-TV reported that the tribe has already bought the property for between $6 million and $9 million, but state approval for a casino there may be a difficult obstacle because the property is not on tribal land. However, the tribe's director of commerce told WZZM-TV that he believes they qualify under an existing 1998 compact and said the tribe currently has more than 600 members living in the Muskegon area.
———
On the Net:
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians: www.lrboi.com
www.grandhaventribune.com/paid/292173866069723.bsp