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Upper Lake's new Running Creek Casino to open May 25
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County's newest casino is opening this week, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
Running Creek Casino will open to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, May 25.
The casino is located at 635 E. Highway 20 in Upper Lake.
The 33,000 square foot casino is an enterprise of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, and houses 349 slot machines and six table games.
“The road has been long and the obstacles too numerous to count, but we are finally here, excited and proud to open the doors to the public,” said Tribal Chairperson Sherry Treppa. “We want this establishment to be more than just a gambling hall.”
She continued, “Our vision is for visitors and local residents to see this as a place to come for dining and entertainment, as well as a local meeting place for Lake County clubs and organizations. We know there are other casino properties in the area to choose from, but we want to differentiate ourselves by offering more in terms of customer service, cleanliness, and hospitality.”
In addition to gaming, Running Creek Casino features the Hot Springs Express restaurant, offering quick, made to order menu selections such as burgers, sandwiches and salads.
A second dining option is Wildfire, a 65-seat full service restaurant with patio dining featuring quality American cuisine and a wood burning pizza oven.
Running Creek’s On the Rocks is a full service bar that highlights a variety of cocktails, beers and wines by the glass, as well as an array of appetizers to compliment any drink selection.
Other amenities include the Running Rewards player’s club and multiple meeting rooms.
Running Creek’s official grand opening is set for Friday, June 1, but the tribe and project management team made the decision in response to popular demand to open the casino on May 25, just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Private ceremonies for the tribe, local dignitaries, and VIP guests will take place in the morning, with the doors opening to the public for gaming and dining at 4 p.m.
The casino will then continue to stay open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
“I am proud to represent this tribe whose eternal hope and unrelenting determination not only brought this project to fruition in Lake County, but did so in a cooperative, respectful and professional manner,” said Treppa. “The tribe could not be more pleased about the new jobs we have created in our community through this project and the positive economic impact Running Creek will provide for area businesses.”
She added, “This business venture will bring the tribe one step closer to economic self-sufficiency. Moreover, it will enable us to engage in additional business enterprises in the future.”
The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake are a federally recognized tribe historically located in Upper Lake California.
In 2008, they were able to place 11.24 acres near their historic tribal lands into trust, which allowed them to create a gaming enterprise.
The casino construction project began in 2004 and was approved by the Department of the Interior in August of 2011, as well as through a state compact signed in March of 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Visit the casino online at www.runningcreekcasino.com , follow it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/runningcreekcasino and get updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/therunningcreek .