Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

Related Photos

  • Once construction is completed later this year, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will have added 100 new hotel suites, as well as additional gaming and entertainment space.

    ts Hard Rock rendering.tif

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
February 7, 2012

Hard Rock redesigns after roof collapse

By TEDDYE SNELL Staff Writer

CATOOSA — Almost one year ago today, snow and ice from a winter blizzard caused a portion of the roof at the Hard Rock Casino to collapse.

Thanks to an alert employee, the bingo hall area was evacuated and no one was injured,. The calamity spurred a redesign rather than a repair.

Instead of repairing the older part of the casino, Cherokee Nation Businesses opted to add a third hotel tower.

“The tower will add 100 hotel suites and an additional 55,000 square feet of entertainment, convention and gaming space,” said CNB CEO David Stewart. “The addition makes us the largest entertainment and gaming destination in the region.”

Construction began in November 2011, and Stewart said he expects the gaming floor to be complete this fall, and the 10-story hotel tower by the end of the year.

“By hosting more conventions, meetings and concerts, we generate more revenue for services to citizens of the Cherokee Nation,” said Stewart.

Stewart said Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has experienced exponential growth, and since adding The Joint music venue, it continues to enjoy success.

“Since The Joint opened in 2010, we’ve experienced enormous success,” said Stewart. “More than 100,000 fans were entertained during its inaugural year, and the concert just keep coming.”

Between now and March, The Joint will host Ronnie Dunn, 38 Special, Roger Hodgson, Kid Rock, Jane’s Addiction, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the Doobie Brothers.

“That’s in the next two months alone, and we’re booking new acts regularly,” said Stewart.

“In the new section, there will be a mezzanine with a media bar, offering an experience you’ll get nowhere else in the state.”

Guests at the Hard Rock currently enjoy dining at their choice of three restaurants, as well as dancing and live music at the nightclubs.

“Expect more dining and entertainment to be introduced once construction is complete,” said Stewart.

In addition to gaming, dining and entertainment, the Hard Rock also has a top-ranked golf course.

“We’ve recently improved out already outstanding Cherokee Hill Golf Cub by renovating the bunkers, improving drainage and introducing tour-quality sand,” said Stewart.

“Our golf course is rated among the top-five places to play in Oklahoma, and is recognized as one of the top casino golf facilities in the country.”

Despite the downturn in the economy over the last few years, Stewart said the tribe’s casinos have come through the recession in good shape.

“Although the overall economy was soft during the recession, we made strategic business decisions that allowed us to weather the conditions as well as we possible could,” said Stewart. “Thanks to the decisions made by our executive leadership team, our revenues are now stronger than ever, and we’re hiring new employees every week at all eight of our gaming locations.”

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has a staff of 1,445, and is one of the largest non-government employers in the Tulsa area.

“We’re happy that, despite the downturn in the economy, we’ve been able to maintain our position as a strong community partner, helping spur economic development across much of northeast Oklahoma,” said Stewart.

Text Only
Local News
  • kp Burger main.tif What’s on the bun?

    Perhaps no other food on the American summer holiday menu epitomizes patriotism more than a good old-fashioned hamburger.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • Best gifts can be made from scratch

    When hand-crafting gifts to honor loved ones or friends, a fellowship can be born.

    May 25, 2012

  • Injury crash provokes felony charge

    Prosecutors have charged a Tahlequah man for his alleged role in causing a crash that put another man on life support.
    The charges stem from a May 18 crash at the intersection of the State Highway 51 West bypass and Vinita.

    May 25, 2012

  • Testimony in Butcher trial centers on evidence

    Testimony given throughout the day Thursday in the first-degree murder case against Bronson William Butcher centered mostly on the state’s investigation of the case.

    May 25, 2012

  • Oklahoma City man charged with larceny here

    Prosecutors in Cherokee County have charged an Oklahoma City man with grand larceny, second-degree burglary, and larceny of an automobile.

    May 25, 2012

  • Local men’s shelter at risk of closing

    Tom Lewis walked through the semi-completed expansion at Project O Si Yo Thursday, pointing out what services could be provided to area homeless men, if only the funding were available.

    May 25, 2012

  • jn tps cmty meeting.tif TPS officials eye earlier start times

    A handful of Tahlequah Public Schools parents voiced concern Wednesday evening about a potential change in school start-and-stop times for the upcoming year.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Food for thought

    With representatives from the Oklahoma Farm & Food Alliance, Sustainable Green Country and Cherokee Nation Healthy Nation Division in attendance, the Tahlequah Food Policy Council on Tuesday shared their ideas on establishing sustainable local food sources for retail ventures.

    May 24, 2012

  • Defense attorney: Witness changed his story

    The defense counsel for Bronson Butcher on Wednesday targeted eyewitness accounts of a man who claims he saw the accused shoot an Oktaha man at a Tahlequah home in March 2011.

    May 24, 2012

  • ra CancerCarnival.tif TMS Cancer Carnival raises funds

    The Tahlequah Middle School Student Council held its 6th Annual Student Council Cancer Carnival Wednesday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. 

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo