Living Sky Casino opens for business

After more than a year and a half of construction and a four year planning process the Living Sky Casino is now officially open for business.
"It has been a long time coming. I remember going onto council in 2000 and there was talks about a casino at that time and now we are going into 2009. It has been a long time coming," explained Swift Current Mayor Sandy Larson during a ceremonial opening on December 28.
The new $35 million entertainment facility is a joint First Nations economic development project between the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.
The casino proposal received provincial approval in October 2004 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in April 2007 to launch construction.
Located along the Trans-Canada Highway, the casino is looking to attract a portion of the one million plus vehicles that pass through Swift Current each year.
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Minister Dan D'Autremont says the 50,000 square foot facility is a huge economic boost for the City of Swift Current.
"This is very important. This opens up a new market for us. We are pleased to partner with SIGA in opening up the new casino. This is going to be a significant boost to the economy of Swift Current. It is going to help build a stronger Saskatchewan, and it is going to create a better life for everyone in this area."
Lionel Tootoosis, General Manager for the Living Sky Casino added many benefits come along with the casino.
"There is a lot of employment obviously, we have a huge payroll. All of these employees have to live and shop in the community, so that is a benefit. Also 25 per cent of all revenues go to the local Community Development Corporation. That money goes directly back into the local community. A lot of the spin off, economic activity, will happen as a result of the casino. Plus everything we get involved with, activities, volunteering, our own little sponsorship."
Tootoosis says the new Living Sky Casino boasts a wide variety of entertainment and dining opportunities.
"We have a lot of amenities. Our SIGA property is now moving forward to multi-function use through the (Sky Centre) and live games. We have 225 slot machines, a buffet, six table games, and we are going to have poker tournaments. This is a great facility that is going to attract people as a destination. We will be able to do banquets, trade shows, you name it, the sky is the limit."
The Casino is not the only thing that is new to the City of Swift Current. The new Sky Centre is also currently under construction, joined to the Living Sky Casino, and Tootoosis says the entertainment venue is right on track.
"Everything is going according to plan. There have been two items that have come up, the seating system and things like that but it is coming along well. We are going to be ready to go on February 14, with the Von Trapp Children as our opening night."
Before the Casino was built, many residents were concerned with the bright lights on top of the building, which sparked many Letters to the Editor. SIGA has addressed the issue and Tootoosis says they have come to an agreement with the concerned parties.
"SIGA as an organization has meet with the different concerned parties and we have reached an agreement. We are going to have six lights on and we are going to limit the time we have them on, and things like that. A lot of the feedback that we have received is that they like the lights, that they add to the look of the community."
For now this will be the last casino for SIGA, which is currently operating six other First Nations Casinos.
The casino will now be open from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., Sunday to Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.
The Living Sky Casino currently employs 320 employees and is still looking for another 20 employees.