Editorial: Snoqualmie Casino will benefit the community
September 11, 2008
By Editorial Board
Snoqualmie Casino is set to open its doors in less than two months to plenty of fan fare. While excitement looms over the opening, a bit of anxiety from residents and city officials of both Snoqualmie and North Bend also exists.
Concerns over what kind of clientele the casino will bring has some wondering whether its addition will actually be a good thing for the community. We think it will.
For starters, Snoqualmie Casino will employ more than 1,300 people, most of them full-time. Many of these jobs pay decently and include full health-insurance benefits.
The casino also appears to be well on its way to supporting lots of community events as a good corporate neighbor. It sponsored both Snoqualmie Railroad Days and the Festival at Mount Si last month, and will be a key sponsor at Issaquah Salmon Days next month. Sponsorship funds are what make events free or affordable for all.
Some are concerned about the increase in traffic that will result from the casino. Since exit 27 off I-90, where the casino is located, doesn’t have an exit for west-bound traffic, those on their way to the casino will need to get off in North Bend and travel down Southeast North Bend Way. While this may increase traffic some, the good majority of those traveling to the casino will likely come from the west. Those forced to travel through North Bend will get a look at businesses downtown they might not have seen otherwise. Hopefully they’ll stop and shop.
The casino also will offer more entertainment than those in the Valley could ever want. It will feature several restaurants, a night club with weekly comedians and musical performances and an 11,000-square-foot ballroom that promises to bring in acts you’d normally have to drive to Seattle to see. The $375 million that was spent bought way more than just poker tables and slot machines. One of the first events to be held here will be the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce annual gala and auction on Nov. 21.
The casino opening on Nov. 6 will be an exciting time for members of the Snoqualmie Tribe. It should be for members of the Snoqualmie Valley, as well.
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YES, the community will see benefits this tribe will look like they are helping the community out and the people will think that this is good for both the tribal member and community but what the community don’t know or want to know is that the LAWYERS like Matt Mattson and Pete Connick are really the ones benefiting they get more than the own members, For example I believe they are making friends in high places why not have a tribal member get to do this? Also they are benefiting with the old credit card, driving a nice car, dinning, golf sound like the tribal members our benefitting to me. Not these guy know exactly what they are doing. Its STAFF FIRST MEMBERS LAST. DO REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCIL COULD COME UP ON TO OUSTED TRIBAL MEMBERS? NO
You know if the tribe wants to do some good for the valley they would clean up the junk yard and trash they allow dumped on Renig Rd. Near Sycamore Alley there is a plethora of junked cars, buses, trash and appliances that litter 30 acres owned by the Snoqualmie tribe. It is an embarrassment to our lovely community. I personally will never spend a dollar of my money in that casino as long as they continue to destroy our community with this toxic waste.
On the subject of the good this casino has already done for the valley, let’s not forget the additional businesses that will come to support the patrons. Like the pawn shop that just opened in downtown Snoqualmie. Yes, you are hearing sarcasm.
It won’t benefit anybody if they don’t get their act together! We went there Sat. afternoon. Went to use the stairs.Couldn’t find any.The wait for the elevator was 20 minutes. The wait for a drink from the bar was 30 minutes.I could of been using that time GAMBLING!!! Not enough ATM machines. They had NOBODY picking up empty glasses between the machines or emptying ashtrays. What a pigsty.They shut down the women’s restroom to clean it!! Come on, no casino does that! The only thing they excelled at was making everybody wait in line. Come on casino people,hire some more help for God’s sake!