The Otoe-Missouria Tribe is breaking ground on a construction project at its 7 Clans First Council Casino near Ark City that will include an indoor water park and expansion of the existing hotel.
Tribe officials said the project should be completed, and the new facilities opened, by December of this year. Expansion is expected to bring about roughly 70 new jobs.
First Council has been discussing plans for the expansion for some time.
When completed the project will feature a 20,000-square-foot water park which includes three large thrill rides, a children’s pool with additional slides, a separate teenage pool and a lazy river; 60 additional suite style rooms, including many with bunk beds, to bring the hotel capacity to 146 rooms; a first-floor arcade adjoining the hotel expansion and water park as well as food and beverage service for the water park and a meeting room plus.
Otoe-Missouria Chairman John R. Shotton says this is just the latest development that the tribe has created to continue a path of economic sovereignty.
“The Otoe-Missouria tribe is excited to break ground on the 7Clans First Council Hotel expansion and indoor waterpark,” Tribe chairman John Shotton said in a prepared statement. “This project is next phase in our plan to be the top entertainment destination in North Central Oklahoma. Building upon our outstanding gaming and hotel facilities as well as our unique concert venue, we look forward to offering even more entertainment options to our patrons and their families. The expansion will provide a family entertainment experience unlike any other in our region.”
John Lyden began serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the Otoe-Missouria Development Authority this past July.
He previously worked with Great Wolf Lodge Resorts – which offers a similar water park resort experience.
7 Clans First Council Casino is located just north of Newkirk, Okla.
