The Gun Lake Tribe and Gun Lake Casino have released details of a $100 million expansion that officials say will bring new dining and entertainment options and additional gaming space.

The expansion is projected to open in the summer of 2021.

Tribal Chairman Bob Peters said, “We are proud of the effort of our team members that has driven the continued success of Gun Lake Casino and our tribe’s contributions to Michigan’s economy in the last eight years. These expansion plans allow us to build on these efforts and provide even more employment opportunities and increased economic impact in our local communities.”

The expansion will add new building space going south toward 129^th Avenue to enlarge the gaming floor and high limit gaming areas. Gaming offerings will increase by providing 450 more slot machines, 12 new table games, and a larger non-smoking area.

Stage 131 will double in size, providing an improved entertainment experience with more seating, a new outdoor patio area, and offer a new dining service.

Two additional upscale restaurants will be included in the expansion. More details about the new dining options will be provided closer to the grand opening date.

The expansion will add 72,000 square feet to the existing 156,000-square-foot facility. This expansion brings the total tribal investment into the Gun Lake Casino property to $415 million.

Sal Semola, president and chief operating officer for Gun Lake Casino, said, “We have undergone a careful and detailed process to understand how to best serve the needs of our current guests – and enhanced dining, entertainment, and gaming amenities are a high priority. These great new amenities will provide new experiences for our guests as part of our continued effort to make Gun Lake Casino the premier entertainment destination in western Michigan.”

Officials from the tribe and casino have explored options for this expansion by engaging with internal senior leadership, outside gaming and hospitality research experts and industry leading casino resort architects.  The team will continue to analyze the market for new ways to entertain guests now and into the future.

Gun Lake Casino has experienced multiple expansions since opening in Februrary 2011. This announcement continues development on master planning and infrastructure required to create a first-class entertainment facility.

The casino currently has 1,100 team members and will hire an additional 125 new employees in food service, table games, slot technicians and guest services.

Clark Construction has been hired to serve as construction manager of the expansion project. Preliminary site work is under way.

Construction will begin in the coming weeks, and the parking area south of the building, closest to 129th Avenue, will be closed during construction. Signage will be erected to direct property visitors to parking areas such as the covered parking garage on the north side of the facility.

A total of 300 construction jobs will be created during the building timeline of the expansion.

Michigan Building Trades/Southwest Building Trades Council and West Michigan Construction Alliance Contractors are expected to be part of the expansion

JCJ Architecture has been hired as the lead designer for the expansion project.