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Kickapoo Tribe plans to expand, build new casino

Thursday, June 16, 2005 | 9:48 a.m.

SHAWNEE, Okla. -- Plans to purchase land for a new casino and expand an existing casino near McLoud have been narrowly approved by the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma.

The proposed casino is part of a five-year business plan to expand the tribe's gaming operations, tribal Chairman Tony Salazar said. Planners want to build the new casino near Interstate 40 and U.S. 177.

Once the casino is built, the tribe would like to partner with or possibly buy the Shawnee Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, Salazar said. The center includes fairgrounds, a conference center, RV hookups, several agricultural show barns and a large outdoor arena.

Tribal members approved a resolution 53-50 on Saturday for tribal officials to borrow $20 million for the projects.

"Some tribal members are afraid of taking our gaming enterprise to the next level," Salazar said. "We're (tribal officials) going to have to prove to them it's worth the investment."

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