Seneca-Cayugas Buy Grand Lake Restaurant, Marina for $3.9 Million

An Oklahoma Indian tribe has purchased a restaurant on Grand Lake that offers sightseeing riverboats and a marina for $3.9 million.

The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe announced the purchase of Royal Bay Restaurant, Royal Bay Convention Center, Royal Bay Marina and two Cherokee Queen riverboats on Friday. The multi-deck paddle-wheel riverboats specialize in scenic cruises, parties and weddings on Grand Lake.

Officials say they plan to extend the operation hours of the restaurant and the riverboat, but tribal economic development director Hoyit Bacon says there are no plans for riverboat gaming.

In 2007, the Miami, Okla.-based tribe applied to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 30 acres to be held in trust for gaming purposes.

Those plans included a 100,000-square-foot, $60 million casino and resort, which would employ about 450 people.