Tribal leaders are expressing interest in a major expansion of the Chumash Casino Resort Hotel, according to a letter sent to Santa Barbara County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino.
"When the Chumash Casino Resort hotel was built in 2004, it was dramatically downsized during the tribal environmental review process," said the chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Vincent Armenta. "While we were trying to address the concerns of the community, we did ourselves a disservice by building a hotel much smaller than the market dictated."
The letter states that the improvements being considered include; adding 215 rooms to the hotel, widening the gaming floor by approximately 60,000 sq. ft., new parking for 750 vehicles, and adding a significant food court and upgraded buffet.
Chairman Armenta said plans will be shared through "periodic updates" with both the county and those within the Santa Ynez Valley, as the project moves forward.