SHAWNEE, OK – The Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) recently celebrated ribbon cuttings for the new FireLake Casino and FireLake Hotel. Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett, Vice-Chairman Linda Capps, CPN legislators David Barrett and Andy Walters, Grand Hotel and Resort General Manager Joe Garcia, and Director of Hotel Operations Alex Koumaris were joined by community leaders from Shawnee to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new FireLake Hotel.
“I want to welcome all of you to the newest addition to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s facilities,” said Barrett. “We hope that there’ll be a lot of happiness in this building, and we’re very, very grateful that all of you are here.”
Chairman Barrett offered a blessing to the facility using sweet grass, cedar, sage and tobacco. Each of the elements represent an important part of Potawatomi culture he said.
FireLake Hotel offers 126 rooms with premium bedding, high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs, work stations, mini fridges, free continental breakfast and 24-hour guest services. Guests will also have access to vending machines and guest laundry.
The hotel will be able to host guests for the many events in the area including the Family Reunion Festival, Fire basketball games, tournaments at the FireLake Softball Fields, and the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival.
“It’s great to expand to this side of town with the ball fields and everything else,” said Koumaris. “It’s exciting. We’ve been talking about it for 12 years.”
Koumaris said he has been part of the project for about eight months and it is fulfilling to see it finally come to fruition.
“They’ve done a great job,” said Koumaris. “Many of them came from the Grand Hotel and Resort, so I’ve worked with them for years. The best part about opening a hotel is when you see the opening team build camaraderie with each other to get the rooms clean, the rooms stocked, get everything ready before those guests come in. To see them excited about it, it’s great.”
The new FireLake Casino features around 500 slot machines and replaces the FireLake Entertainment Center, which originally opened as a bingo hall in the 1980s.
“Casino technology plays a central role in remodels, driving both operational efficiency and guest satisfaction,” said Garcia. “Remodels often serve as an opportunity to integrate the latest innovations in slot machines, security and guest services.”
Garcia said the slot machines have been upgraded to interactive displays and server-based platforms that will allow real-time game updates and networked jackpots. Other improvements include integrated mobile apps and personalized loyalty systems, as well as improved security systems to ensure a safe environment.
“Casino remodels are no longer just about aesthetics – they are about modernizing the infrastructure to create a more connected, secure and personalized guest experience,” said Garcia. “Technology not only enhances gameplay, but also deepens engagement, streamlines operations and improves security.”
With the new casino now open, the former location will be demolished to be used as overflow parking for the many events around the FireLake complex.
