Casino Expansion Work Underway

With a little help, a crane operator swung the first steel support beam into place at the Cherokee Casino in Catoosa. It's part of a $125 million expansion project at the casino and resort. The addition includes a new 19-story hotel tower, an 1,800 seat entertainment and convention center, along with a Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar & Grill" Restaurant.

"This is a big day for us, it represents the second phase of our major expansion, to complete the property to be probably one of the best gaming destinations in Oklahoma," said David Stewart of Cherokee Enterprises. "The whole incentive for this exercise, this operation, this gaming is to create jobs, a vibriant economy, to increase the quality of life for ourselves and our families."

The 300,000 square foot expansion project is expected to create between 400 to 500 new jobs.

It should be completely finished by January of 2009.