Casinos to be improved for historic event

Monday, June 25, 2001 | 10:48 a.m.

LEWISTON, Idaho -- The Nez Perce Tribe is betting the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial commemoration will bring more tourists to its casinos in the next few years, so it will buff them up in preparation.

The Lewiston-area Clearwater River Casino may get a facelift, possibly with a hotel, entertainment and convention center, food and beverage outlets and a golf course.

"With the prospect of millions of tourists passing through Lewiston during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial celebration, the tribe wanted to be prepared to greet visitors with the best possible facility," Tribal Executive Committee Chairman Samuel Penney said.

The Aht'Wy Plaza, with the Clearwater casino, would see the addition of sewer services and later a permanent casino building with hotel and meeting rooms. A golf course could be in the next phase.

In Kamiah, the current Nez Perce Express I convenience store will be expanded into the new site of the It'Se-Ye-Ye Bingo and Casino. A restaurant also will be added. Work begins in July.

Penney said the projects will not expand the casinos but will provide more places for tourists to sleep, eat and play.

"Our two gaming operations are the cornerstones of our economic development plan," he said.