Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Oklahoma by HBG Design
That ’ s Entertainment
Food-and-beverage additions complement another high-ROI non-gaming element these days on the entertainment side . However , few tribal resorts are making money from huge Las Vegas-style theater venues , or the superstars who establish residencies bringing in the non-gaming profits year-round .
What ’ s more prevalent in Indian Country are smaller theaters that can be transformed into other uses — notably , meetings and conventions — to bring in revenue midweek , with smaller acts and regional attractions filling the venues on weekends .
Nejelski at TBE says these multi-use facilities give smaller casinos a versatile profit center that operates throughout the week . “ It may not make sense to invest in a high-end theater experience if you ’ re not going to be able to get the size acts and have enough of the shows ,” he says .
“ We just did a renovation of a Sprung structure at Coushatta Casino . It ’ s still a Sprung structure , but we updated the finishes and set it up to where they run concerts , and they run concerts there quite frequently . And they ’ re very popular . You ’ re not getting the gigantic headliners , but we went down there for a Jefferson Starship show — it was packed , and it ’ s right off of the gaming floor .”
During the week , he adds , the structure makes money in a variety of ways — the casino rents it out for weddings , parties , even meeting space . “ We don ’ t like doing anything that creates dark spaces ,” Nejelski says . “ So if it ’ s just a one-use venue , that ’ s really going to impact its ROI . If that venue can be either scaled down and used for a different purpose or have secondary uses that it can accommodate , you have more of an opportunity to be generating revenue out of that secondary amenity .”
Of course , that doesn ’ t mean casinos aren ’ t still adding the huge entertainment venues , particularly in the larger markets . One of HBG ’ s signature projects is the Lucas Oil Live facility at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Oklahoma , which serves the huge Dallas / Fort Worth market across the border in Texas . It is a 6,500-seat venue offering optimal acoustics and aesthetics .
“ It sets a new standard for live entertainment in the region , attracting performers the caliber of Miranda Lambert , Rod Stewart , and Tyler Childers ,” says Peak . “ VIP event lounge suites provide comfortable living room-type seating and mingling space . The dynamic LED-lit concourse mirrors the rhythmic flow of music . The exterior ’ s angled glass offers an unobstructed view of the thematic soundwave motif . Every element enhances the attraction and energy of the performances and events held within .”
The venue is adjacent to the new Session House Gastropub , which connects Lucas Oil Live to its new 16-story , 304-key contemporary Spa Tower hotel .
Family Fun
One new trend in casino design is to take the entertainment to the entire family , as a variety of family fun centers and arcades join ever-more-elaborate swimming pool facilities and other attractions open to all ages .
“ Now that a lot of the properties have matured , a lot of the tribal communities are asking for family amenities , especially arcades ,” says Ewing at Cuningham . “ And , they ’ re even looking at water parks and outdoor elements , so they can bring their family to the properties as they mature .”
Ruiz from R2Architects notes that there are even non-gaming arcades for adults . “ In some markets , we ’ re seeing these adult arcades , these adult chip-and-putt type of indoor venues ,” he says . “ And we ’ re also seeing now , with some of these larger gaming properties , venues where it ’ s adult-centric — billiards , air hockey , in a different context , with food and loud music with a high-energy vibe to it .”
Of course , the time-honored family activity at casino resorts is swimming , and many of the highest-profile non-gaming additions lately have involved pools .
“ Pools are very popular and create a great marketing draw ,” says Heretakis at Westar . “ But you can ’ t just build a pool . Your operations team constantly needs to program events to keep it fresh and vibrant and a great draw . A large area for concerts is great ; entertainment can be a big draw .”
HBG ’ s expansion at WinStar includes the five-acre Cascades pool entertainment complex . “ WinStar has embraced the Dallas / North Texas market , which is only about a 90-minute drive to the resort ,” says Peak . “ These new non-gaming amenities are attracting the ‘ daycation getaway ’ guest seeking elevated entertainment options in the region .”
At the Gun Lake Casino south of Grand Rapids , Michigan , HBG is working on the six-story , 32,000-square-foot Wawye Oasis multi-purpose pool and event center atrium complex , next to a hotel addition , to open next year . “ At its core , the Wawye Oasis is a visionary concept encompassing a glass-roofed , climate-controlled indoor landscaped environment shaped like a large sun dial to optimize sun exposure while shielding against the weather elements ,” Peak explains . “ In a region renowned for its cold and windy winters , this atrium will maintain a cozy 82-degree climate year-round , complete with preserved tropical flora and terraced lawns . From an immersive pool environment to a versatile concert venue , the event possibilities within this unique multi-purpose space are truly limitless as it transitions from an active resort pool oasis by day to a dynamic performance complex by night .”
Hotel Within a Hotel
Those multi-purpose entertainment and recreation facilities go hand in hand with the newest hotel additions , and some projects repurpose old or unused hospitality space into something completely new . One example is the new Aspire “ hotel within a hotel ” at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut .
It is part of a $ 62 million renovation of 1,150 guest rooms and suites for
24 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT GAMING 2024