Updates
July 4, 2013: maiden voyage successful. The Minot Daily News is reporting:
The Three Affiliated Tribes' new 149-passenger yacht marks a first in North Dakota.
Tex Hall, tribal chairman, said the 4 Bears Casino, a facility west of New Town owned by the Three Affiliated Tribes, is the only casino in the state with a boat.
After a ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the 4 Bears Marina and dock, west of New Town, about 75 special guests boarded the yacht for its maiden voyage an excursion trip with dinner and entertainment on Lake Sakakawea. Calvin Grinnell provided the cultural interpretation for the trip and Jackie Bird entertained with her singing.
Original Post
The Nation with a bit of oil in the Bakken is getting ready to sail.
The Nation: the Three Affiliated Tribes, New Town, North Dakota.
The boat: a 96-foot yacht.
Why: because they can.
The Minot Daily News is reporting:
Earlier this year, the tribes' Class III Tribal-State Gaming Compact was amended. It expanded Class III gaming on tribal trust lands and waters within the exterior boundaries of the reservation and allow the tribes to conduct gaming on Lake Sakakawea.
Scott Wilson, of the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, said the yacht, a 2002 model, is from Skipper Lines Corp. in Wisconsin. He said it is 96 feet in length and will accommodate 149 passengers.
He said a captain and crew from Wisconsin have been contracted for one year and they will also train people for the yacht while they are here.
Just one more example of how the Bakken is affecting economies across the US. In this case: the yacht-building industry in Wisconson .Wilson said first, the yacht will be used for dinner and entertainment. The dinners will be catered by the Bison Room, a newly renovated restaurant in the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge. The entertainment on the yacht will be located on the upper level where there is a bar.
I just think it is funny that we read about the tribes dealing with housing for their people. And they spend money on a yacht that will get used maybe 3 months out of the year.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. It does take a bit of wind out of their sails when they buy a yacht and then complain about housing. However, the yacht is a business venture it appears. The riverboats in Louisiana/Mississippi are permanently anchored to the shore; at least it looks like this yacht might float a few months/year. The rest of the year they could still use it in dry dock if they wanted, I suppose, or if there was a demand (which I doubt).
DeleteBut your point is well taken: this is not a year-round sailing opportunity. Anyone want to bet we'll see the yacht in the Gulf during the off-season?
I'm glad they are trying something different, but in all seriousness, the current casino needs a good work over or should even be replaced with a new one...a few people I've talked to who go the 4 bears wonder why the money spent on the yacht couldn't have been spent on refurbishing the current "casino" (not hotel). The casino is old, dated, and needs a lot of work. I'm waiting for Turtle Mountain to build a new casino in Trenton (near Williston). They are currently testing with a little one called Painted Pony. I'm guessing a lot of the Williston-Sidney gamblers will stick closer to home if a nice new casino were built in that part of the region. But anyway, good luck to 4 Bears on their new venture. Hope it works out well for them.
ReplyDeleteWow, I agree 1000%. The current casino is "the pits." No pun intended. It is really show its age. It needs to be refurbished. I can't recall: it seems it is smoky indoors, also but I could be wrong; it's been a long time since I've been there. At one I used to enjoy going there for the drive and the meal, but not any more. Not until it's refurbished.
DeleteGreat comment. Thank you. I had not heard about the Trenton casino (if I have, and if I've posted a note on it, I've forgotten).