On June 14, the Snoqualmie Casino took its latest step toward completing the expansion project, which will add a hotel, convention center, restaurant and spa to the campus as well as provide approximately 500 additional job opportunities to the community.
The “topping ceremony” — during which the Skanska construction team placed the highest beam on the hotel tower — was attended by tribal members, leadership, North Bend Mayor Mary Miller, Snoqualmie Mayor Katherine Ross and many residents from neighboring cities.
Surrounded by fences and hardhats, Stanford Le, the casino’s CEO and president, kicked off the ceremony by thanking the 1,500 construction team members who have been involved with the project so far.
“It’s been pretty amazing what this construction crew has done to get us to this point,” Le said. “I’ve been watching from my office. These guys are amazing. There are a few things I can’t do. What they can do, I cannot.”
Robert de los Angeles, the chairman of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, took the microphone and spoke about how the “hotel represents a significant milestone toward the Snoqualmie Tribe’s economic stability and growth.”
“I’d also like to extend a special thank you to our tribal members, past and present councilmembers, the over 1,100 casino team members and surrounding community dignitaries,” he said. “Especially the construction workers who worked through the rain and snow to bring this building to where we are today.”
The speeches were followed by a blessing of the expansion led by members of the Sweet Family before the Skanska team hoisted the final beam — signed by several community members — as cheers erupted in the crowd.
Two flags — an American flag and the Snoqualmie tribal flag — and a small tree, gifted to the tribe by the project ironworkers, symbolizing no lives lost during the project, were lifted with the beam and placed on the top corner of the 210-room hotel tower.
“For everyone that came out today, it means so much for our team at the casino,” Le said in closing. “One final thank you to the construction team. For this amount of time, you guys are a part of our work family so thank you.”
The expansion of the casino, which broke ground in 2022, is expected to be completed in 2025.
Photo by Bill Shaw/Valley Record Tribal Chairman Robert de los Angeles (left), Snoqualmie Casino CEO and President Stanford Le (middle) and the casino’s Advertising and Public Relations Strategist, Amanda Beltran.
Tribal member and Fireweed Cannabis Manager Robbie de los Angeles signing the beam. (Photo by Bill Shaw/Valley Record)
The Skanska team preparing to lift the beam. (Photo by Bill Shaw/Valley Record)
