NORTH FORK, CA – The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California casino project passed another significant milestone recently with the topping out of the final steel beam on the external building frame. The event took place on the tribe’s federal trust land located along California State Highway 99 just north of the City of Madera. The event celebrated those who worked directly on the structure, including the construction, design, and development teams, as well as North Fork Rancheria tribal leaders and staff.
“Today, we celebrate the amazing trades and construction workers, as well as our construction and management partners,” said North Fork Rancheria Tribal Chairman Fred Beihn.
The project to develop the North Fork Mono Casino & Resort dates to the early 2000s. In the ensuing years, the project garnered local, state, and federal support based on its potential to positively impact both the tribe and surrounding local community. In 2012, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior agreed to take the tribe’s land near Madera in trust after determining the land’s eligibility for gaming under federal law. In 2016, the Secretary issued procedures authorizing the tribe to conduct Class III gaming on its trust land. Each of those decisions were upheld by the federal courts and no further federal litigation remains.
“We’ve come a long way from 1966 when the Feds terminated our Rancheria’s trust status and distributed our land in fee, and from 1983 when our recognized status was restored but without land for the tribal government,” said Elaine Bethel Fink, Tribal Council Member and President of the Economic Development Authority Board that will oversee the casino and resort project. “Our tribe worked long and hard to right these historical injustices and be where we are today.”
Pre-construction activity on the site began last summer with a groundbreaking event held in early September and attended by over 800 tribal citizens, community members, and dignitaries. A grand opening date has not been announced for the destination casino and resort that will be fully owned by the tribe and managed by an affiliate of Station Casinos. Once open, the facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for guests 21 and older, and will provide gaming, entertainment, and hospitality options for a wide variety of patrons. This will include 2,000 slots and 40 table games, two full-service restaurants and six quick-serve dining options, 3,000 parking spaces, and free valet parking. A separate area will provide easy access for RV’s, trucks, buses, and other large vehicles.
“Few tribes and communities have worked as diligently, respectfully, and collaboratively as North Fork and Madera to create jobs, business opportunity, and community investment,” said Tribal Treasurer Maryann McGovran. “Today, we are one step closer to this shared dream.”
“We thank our local, state, and federal government partners, Station Casino and the Fertitta family, and especially our tribal citizens for keeping faith in our tribe and project over the years,” said Tribal Secretary Christina McDonald. “We are almost there.”
