Casino expansion coming to Dakota Dunes

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More construction is set to commence on the territory of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation just outside Saskatoon.

On Friday, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) and Whitecap First Nation announced the Dakota Dunes Casino floor will be expanded by 12,000 square feet.

The extra space will create more room for food and beverage service and a new, high-limit table game area.

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SIGA president and CEO Zane Hansen said the expansion compliments recent developments at Dakota Dunes, specifically the future thermal spa. He said a large amount of money is set aside for the expansion project.

“We have a budget just shy (of) $13 million is the estimate right now,” he said.

Construction is set to start in November and is expected to take 14 months. Hansen said the expansion will provide a better experience for customers as it can get crowded during busy times.

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced SIGA to close its operations, the Dakota Dunes Casino has been doing good business, he added.

“We’ve seen good, steady growth in the Saskatoon market.”

SIGA is also working to grow the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert. Construction on that property has been underway since September and is expected to be complete in 2026.

“It’ll look like a whole brand new property,” Hansen said.

SIGA expects the expansions to create 80 to 100 new jobs, he added.

Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear said since the casino opened its doors in 2007 work has been done to make the Dakota Dunes Resort more of a destination for travellers. The addition of the hotel, which opened in 2020, has helped bring out more people, he said.

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“It’s actually added to the demand.”

Bear said the resort and casino had a net profit of $46 million last year, which was a new record. With the new thermal spa expected to open for business in 2026, the casino expansion makes a lot of sense, he added.

“This is all very timely.”

Bear said planning is underway to expand the hotel, which has 155 rooms with an occupancy rate that’s usually around 70 per cent.

Historically, Bear said many of the resort’s patrons are from Saskatoon and surrounding area; about 10 per cent of visitors come from outside the province. With the future addition of the thermal spa, he said the resort has been getting inquiries from people who organize national conferences.

All of the resort amenities will be helpful in making Dakota Dunes more attractive for travellers, Bear predicted.

“It will become the No. 1 resort destination in Saskatchewan.”

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