Choctaw Nation to invest $140 million to expand, upgrade Pocola casino
This is a rendering of planned expansion and renovation of Choctaw Nation casino facility in Pocola.
Durant, Okla.-based Choctaw Nation plans to invest $140 million to expand and renovate its gaming, hotel and dining facility in Pocola. Work is expected to begin later this year on the expansion that will include a new seven-story hotel that will have 130 rooms.
According to a press release, the Pocola site, just yards from the Arkansas and city of Fort Smith border, began as a bingo hall in 1994 and expanded in subsequent years into larger hotel, dining, and gaming operation with more than 7,000-square-feet of meeting and event space.
The Choctaw Nation opened in early 2013 its expanded $60 million casino and hotel operation in Pocola. The Choctaw facility, which was estimated to employ around 850, included more than 148,000 square feet of casino and hotel space. The space included a 118-room hotel with 10 suites and two luxury suites, restaurant space, a 600-space parking garage and expanded event and meeting spaces.
“Choctaw has long been a proud part of this region, growing alongside the community and contributing to its vitality and success,” Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton said in the press release.. “As the largest employer in LeFlore County and the second largest resort in the Choctaw Casinos & Resort portfolio, Choctaw – Pocola plays a vital role in driving economic growth and opportunity in this region. This investment will allow us to welcome more guests while delivering an even higher level of hospitality and resort experience.”
Following are additions planned with the expansion.
• A renovation – to include new carpet, lighting, fixtures, and modern furnishings – of the existing 118-room hotel
• A refresh of the existing casino floor with new carpet and lighting
• An upgraded poker room and off-track betting and rewards club
• A resort-style pool, with private cabanas and an outdoor bar
• A full-service spa offering wellness and relaxation experiences
• A fitness center open 24 hours
• A coffee and tea bar – will offer custom coffee drinks and a wide variety of teas
• A “refresh and rebrand” of all restaurants and bars
“We’re excited to share our latest expansion and renovation project with our guests and the community,” said Christy Chaser, general manager of Choctaw Casino & Resort-Pocola. “This investment not only transforms our property by doubling our hotel capacity and introducing contemporary, elevated amenities, but also reflects our ongoing commitment to the people and businesses here.”
Work will be managed by Tutor Perini Construction and JCJ Architecture.
The last major casino upgrade in the Fort Smith metro was in 2015 when the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Entertainment completed a 170,000-square-foot casino and hotel. expansion The new casino at the time had 850 electronic games, table games, a private High Limit poker room, two dining options, a cocktail bar, and a space for live music.
At the time, the expanded Cherokee Casino was estimated to employ more than 600 people. The original Roland facility opened in November 1990 with just 64 employees.