![Running Creek Casino in Upper Lake, Calif., opened on Friday, May 25, 2012. Photo by John Jensen. runningcreekcasino](/images/stories/2012/may/runningcreekcasino.jpg)
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – California's newest casino officially opened its doors to the public at a Friday afternoon ceremony.
Running Creek Casino has been a longtime goal for the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, a small tribe that has worked for more than a decade to bring the project to fruition.
The new facility has 349 machines, six gaming tables, two restaurants and a full bar, run by a staff of about 150.
The casino project, like the long span of the Habematolel's history, has tested the mettle of its tribal members.
“This tribe's history can be described in one word – survival,” said Tribal Chair Sherry Treppa during the ceremony.
That includes surviving the attack at Bloody Island in May 1850 – when hundreds of Pomos were massacred by the U.S. Army in retaliation for the murders of Andrew Kelsey and Charles Stone near modern-day Kelseyville – up through the process of “termination,” which involved dissolving reservations.
As well, the 227-member tribe survived Arnold Schwarzenegger, Treppa quipped, referring to the former governor whose compact with the Habematolel ultimately would be rejected in 2010 by the federal government because its onerous financial demands violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
In March 2011 the tribe signed a new compact with Gov. Jerry Brown, the first compact he negotiated and signed, as Lake County News has reported.
After years of work, the project has moved quickly as the tribe pushed to be open for Memorial Day. Treppa pointed out that the casino site was “just dirt” six months ago.
A new construction firm had to be brought in after the last firm reneged on its agreement with the tribe, Treppa said.
There were many obstacles over the past four years, said Treppa, “but we never stopped believing.”
She credited a very positive working relationship with Lake County's government for helping the tribe move forward.
The Habematolel began acquiring the 11-acre property where the casino sits in 2004, she said. That process included putting it into federal trust.
Treppa said most tribes opening casinos face bitter opposition and lawsuits, but the Habematolel said they have experienced neither.
The tribe estimates that it will be able to repay its loan and begin building a new permanent structure to replace the “sprung,” tent-like structure within four years, Treppa said.
Treppa recognized the tribe's executive council and management staff, and gave special recognition to her vice chair, Angelina Arroyo, who she said has been with her through the most difficult of times, personally and professionally.
Indeed, the two women have been a steady presence on behalf of the tribe, making countless trips to Sacramento and Washington, DC, and pushing to keep the project on track when it seemed to have hit insurmountable obstacles.
On hand at Friday's ceremony were county officials including Northshore Supervisor Denise Rushing and County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox.
“Our government-to-government relationship has been absolutely stellar,” said Rushing.
She said it was amazing how many obstacles the tribe had overcome, adding that the county was happy to have the casino there. Rushing thanked the tribe for bringing the new jobs.
Cox echoed Rushing's sentiments, and recounted how the Habematolel had approached the county to ask about officials' concerns about the project. He said he was glad to see the project happen.
Arroyo thanked people for coming to share in the event. “I thank you as a community for the support.”
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