MISSION — Walls are rising and rooms are taking shape at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino (WRC), giving the Board of Trustees (BOT) a firsthand look at the resort’s more than $100 million expansion and a preview of the amenities it will bring to Eastern Oregon. 

Trustees toured the WRC construction site on Feb. 18 as crews built rooms, installed drywall and soldered fixtures, previewing the resort’s planned upgrades and additions designed not only for tourists but also the community. 

While wearing hard hats and safety vests, they were guided by WRC CEO Gary George and the Lydig Construction team.

The expansion, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), is slated for completion in 2027. The two-year project aims to enhance the Las Vegas-style gaming experience, boost economic activity, expand lodging, increase entertainment offerings and add flexible convention and event space.

General Council Chairman Lindsey X. Watchman acknowledged the cost of the project but emphasized its long-term benefits.

“Although I am still experiencing sticker shock, this investment in our leading business enterprise will pay dividends in multiple areas,” he said. “The forecasted return on investment in the first few years will support growth in the government sector, providing much-needed funding for our tribal community’s health and social services.”

BOT Chair Kathryn Brigham said she was impressed by the expansion plans. 

“Touring the project, it was really good to see what’s being planned for 2027,” she said. “The updates will help meet and expand both our community and regional needs, and the new facilities will allow us to host conventions, conferences and address local hotel demand.”

The new convention center will accommodate live shows, concerts, powwows, conferences, weddings and comedy acts, positioning WRC alongside the region’s larger entertainment venues. The expansion will also include larger banquet facilities and upgraded kitchen operations, allowing the resort to host bigger events.

The trustees watched as crews hustled through the halls, transforming the gaming resort into a major regional hub. One of the project’s most significant additions is a 10-story, 214-room premier hotel tower, featuring standard rooms, luxury accommodations and executive suites, more than doubling the resort’s current room count to more than 400.

Watchman said that with the addition of more than 200 hotel rooms, visitors will be able to stay on-site, keeping dollars in the community.

According to a press release, the expansion will include a 15,000-square-foot multipurpose convention center with configurable space for up to 1,500 guests, tripling the resort’s current capacity for live events and entertainment. A resort-style, three-meal restaurant with a large banquet kitchen will support the increased convention and event traffic.

At the top floor, trustees caught a glimpse of the Blue Mountains’ scenic landscape, overlooking the resort grounds and surrounding valleys, giving them a full sense of the natural beauty in Eastern Oregon.

“It really has great views on the east, north and south sides,” Brigham said. “I think it’s going to be a place to come and a place to hold events, not only tribal but also other local gatherings.”

She added that the project represents a significant opportunity for the community and praised the planning for meeting both local and regional needs.

Once the project is complete in 2027, the expansion is expected to not only elevate WRC as a premier entertainment and convention destination in the region but also provide lasting economic and cultural benefits for the CTUIR and the surrounding community.