Tribe choses finalists for casino construction contract

Monday, June 6, 2005 | 9:49 a.m.

BROWNING -- Plans to construct a $3.5 million gaming hall on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation are progressing with the picking of three Indian-owned contractors as finalists for the general contract.

Tribal officials say the 22,000-square-foot casino will add up to 40 jobs on the reservation.

The contractor will be chosen this week, said construction manager Smokey Plummer of Siyeh Development Co., the tribe's business arm.

He said groundbreaking is planned in early July.

Siyeh general manager Dennis Fitzpatrick said five companies bid on the project, which is planned along U.S. 2 west of Browning in hopes of attracting people heading to and from Glacier National Park.

The new casino will replace the tribe's existing downtown bingo hall.

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