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Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel undergoes major expansion
January 08, 2011
editor@montanaliving.com
WORLEY, ID-- The seventh major expansion, and the largest expansion yet, will add 98 hotel rooms, casino space, gourmet dining, a spa and other facilities both indoor and out at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, all with environmental sensitivity. Tribal leaders and resort officials took part in the groundbreaking in May 2009. The current phase will be complete this spring and a grand opening will come in early May.
With highest standards and natural beauty included, the expansion will ensure even greater status here of a major destination resort-- regional, national and international.
The 98 new hotel rooms (300 total) and fitness center bring two new wings, offering views of Circling Raven Golf Club, area wetlands and the rolling Palouse grasslands and fields. The state-of-the-art Spa, which will be located in the new hotel facilities, will cover 15,000 square feet. Fine dining will include a gourmet steakhouse serving dry-aged, prime beef. A vast “front yard” will rise to the south of the main building, offering two natural amphitheaters for concerts and other outdoor events.
The new pub is called, “Yap kee num” (gathering place), and will be something of a centerpiece in the design, opening outdoors to the front yard and amphitheaters.
Currently employing about 1,000, the resort expects to add upwards of 150 jobs.
“Our guests can expect something very special here,” said Chief Executive Officer Dave LaSarte-Meeks. “Years of planning have gone into what we believe will be a unique, luxury destination resort. But it will always continue to cater to guests from all walks of life. We are truly expanding the experience for all who come here.”
The Skycatcher, a promenade, will stretch east and west from one end of the parking area to the other, providing a glass front for the casino and a gathering area for entrances into various venues. Both parking lots will be wooded, extending southward across what was once U.S. Highway 95 and wrapping around either side of the “front yard” facilities.
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Green Practices
Keen to tribal traditions and committed to responsible growth, the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel can be looked at as a true industry leader in its environmentally sensitive approach. Such commitments here were lauded in aGreen Practices Assessment completed in November by Cascade Design Professionals of Milwaukie, Oregon.
Efforts that began with massive recycling of paper products, cardboard, kitchen waste and plastic, have evolved via the recent remodel and current expansion to include an effort toward LEED certification. The state-of-the-art Bio Membrane Reactor went on line last summer, massively reducing the flow of solid waste and allowing the resort, through recycling, to save some 35 million gallons of water per year.
The study goes far in its praise: “The Casino will likely find itself in a leadership position in its industry, as it works to develop a holistic, documented approach to its green and sustainable practices.”
All new facilities are designed by Mithun Architects of Seattle. The Mithun design is in concert with plans for “going green” along with the goal of LEED certification. The design goes beyond incorporating the natural environment and habitat. Everything possible is being done to ensure that the project is environmentally friendly, including the uses of “clean” products, recycled products and keen sensitivities to nature. Mithun has received considerable national recognition for the company’s commitment to “green friendly” building.
The following are among things done or to be done in order to achieve LEED certification:
The current Citylink bus service reduces the amount of single occupant vehicles being driven to the property.
Bicycle storage and changing rooms are provided for employees and/or guests who want to go explore the surrounding area.
Through removing the existing highway, and re-sculpting the land, the project is restoring natural habitat. Parking lots will have storm water swales that act as amenities for plantings, but also serve dual duty in picking up runoff from the parking area. Through these swales, water will be cleaned naturally prior to flowing into adjacent wetlands and creeks.
The roofs will be designed to prevent what is called “heat island effect”. This minimizes solar heat gain through the roof and reduces the buildings energy costs spent on cooling systems.
All landscaping is specified to be drought tolerant, and where it is irrigated, no potable water will be used.
A new MBR wastewater treatment plant will process all black water produced by the building and treat it to a high quality of effluent. This water will then be re-used for irrigating both the golf course and the new resort landscape.
The buildings are targeted to optimize their energy performance by at least 14% better than a typical “baseline” building.
The project is holding as an alternate new solar hot water panels which would pre-heat water for both domestic water use and use within the heating systems of the building.
The project is targeting the diversion of 75% of construction waste from landfills and re-cycling this waste instead.
The project is targeting to have 20% of the materials installed be comprised of materials with recycled content.
The project is targeting to have 20% of the materials be extracted and manufactured from a regional facility (within 500 miles).
Indoor air quality of the new space will be a priority. Special filtering media in the mechanical equipment is required during construction and prior to occupancy to minimize impacts on building occupants from particulates in the air.
Low emitting materials are specified to eliminate off-gassing of noxious fumes and protect the health of building users. Examples are low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, adhesives, and composite wood products.
Systems will have a high level of controllability for individual user comfort and energy savings. This includes lighting and temperature controls.
The buildings are designed to provide daylight and views from 90% of the spaces that are regularly occupied by guests and workers – re-connecting people with the surrounding natural environment.
The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel opened as a 30,000 sq. ft. bingo hall in March 1993. After the first six expansions, the current property has 202 hotel rooms, Events Center, 100,000 sq. ft. of casino space, buffet, restaurant, deli and gift shop. Circling Raven Golf Club opened in 2003. A major remodel in 2007-08 created new work areas, offices, employee lounge and other non-public facilities. That project also included the Stensgar Pavilion and the CRGC cart storage building.
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