Win-River Casino’s super-luxurious, highly ambitious $90-million expansion plan could become a more scaled-down model, confirmed Gary Hayward, the casino’s general manager.

During our Tuesday-morning telephone conversation, Hayward said the proposed 1,000-space parking structure is but one blue-print component slated for a second look. 

In May 2007 Win Riverfirst announced its expansion news after the bi-annual State of the Tribe address. It unveiled such impressive undertakings as enlarging the 75,000-square-foot casino to 200,000 square feet. That would allow enough space to more than double the size of the casino’s poker room, likewise doubling the number of gaming tables and slot machines.

Last year’s Win-River Casino plan also boasted a new 125-seat gourmet steakhouse, 250-seat buffet, eight-story hotel,  2,000-seat events center, indoor/outdoor pool, a spa, gift shop and an attached, 1,000-space garage. Guests would see tribal-themed art displays, such as a 25-foot-high sculptural rendition of a traditional “burden basket” to symbolize a basket filled with good fortune and wealth.  

Speaking of  burden baskets, Hayward said there were “a number of reasons” for rethinking the size of the expansion, but one was most noteworthy. 

“We didn’t want to put all our eggs in one basket,” he said.

However, Hayward said that although the casino’s gaming-and-entertainment project might be reduced in size, he remains just as enthusiastic about Win-River’s construction on the project. In fact, he said the project should break ground late next month. 

“The project is still a 100-percent go,” Hayward said. “Absolutely.”

One more thing.  As of Tuesday morning Hayward said the recommendation to possibly minimize the scope of Win-River’s expansion still hadn’t gone before the Tribal membership. Win-River Casino is owned by the Redding Rancheria, a sovereign tribal nation. 

“We’re going to take it to the members,” Hayward said of Win-River’s scaled-back proposal.

“They have the final word. They could say no.”

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