Soaring Eagle and Saganing Eagle's Landing Allow Saginaw Tribe To Make Payments To Members

Although the actual numbers are not confirmed, it appears that the successful operations of the Soaring Eagle Casino, as well as the recently-opened Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino are allowing the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe to make annual payments to its members of between $25,000 and $70,000 per member, as well as an annual payment of $8,000 to a family for each child in the family. Whether that number will increase will likely depend upon the success of the expansion plans at Soaring Eagle Casino, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and the succesful operations at Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino, near Standish, Michigan.

Additional Reports Substantiate Mid-February Grand Opening For Standish's Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino

Further press reports confirm that mid-February 2008 should be the grand opening date of the new Saganing Eagle's Landing near Standish, Michigan. The 32,000 square foot casino, which will feature approximately 700 slot machines, 40 table games, and create approximately 300 permanent jobs, was previously reported to be opening in late December, 2007.

The exterior of the casino is reportedly complete, but interior work continues. Workers are reportedly training at the Soaring Eagle Casino, also owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe.

The two month delay is not unusual, but is somewhat surprising, considering the Tribe's recently re-elected chief reiterated as recently as early December that the casino was on track for a December, 2007 grand opening.

The casino is constructed in a rural area, which presented some development difficulties. The site did not have natural gas service, municipal water or sewage disposal. In addition, the casino's architect reported that the area's power lines didn't have the capacity to deliver enough electricity for the casino.

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe Purchased Marina Near Saganing Eagle's Landing

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe has purchased a marina approximately two miles from the Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino, which is opening near Standish, Michigan. The marina, formerly known as the Great Lakes Shores Marina, has been renamed Eagle Bay Marina. The marina contains 50 slips, with the potential to add 50 more slips, and potentially RV and camper lots.

This purchase is a part of the Tribe's continual attempts to diversify the economic impact of the Tribe's gaming ventures.

Saganing Eagle's Landing Has Website Operational

It's a bit bare bones, but the new Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino near Standish, Michigan now has its website up and running. The only nuggets to be gleaned from the website are an artist's depiction of the completed casino, and the casino's address: 2690 Worth Road. Site plans and elevations from the Tribe's website are shown at left. In addition, the connection to Soaring Eagle Casino and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe is clear, with the eagle's wing logo shared by both casinos.



Here is an updated location map, based upon the address:


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Teamsters Seek To Organize Soaring Eagle Employees

As noted previously, the Teamsters union has filed a request with the National Labor Relations Board to organize the employees at the Soaring Eagle Casino Resort in Mt. Pleasant.

The casino is owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, which is also building a second casino near Standish, Michigan, to be called Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino, which is scheduled to open December 31, 2007.

Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino To Open December 31, 2007?

The Bay City Times reports that the new Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino, located near Standish, Michigan, is scheduled to open on December 31, 2007. The casino, owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe will include a 32,000 square foot gaming area, with arond 700 slot machines and 40 table games. It will reportedly have approximately 300 employees at opening.

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe has purchased approximately 418 acres, including a marina, gas station, and convenience store, this year in Arenac County, where the new casino is located.

This map shows the reported location of the new casino:


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Soaring Eagle Discloses Conceptual Plans For Major Expansion

The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant has released conceptual plans for a major expansion that feature additional gaming, as well as resort features that range from the practical (water park), to the fantastical (indoor ski hill). The conceptual site plan shows expansion in multiple geographic directions by the casino.

Of course, whether these plans are realistic, or merely Microsoft-like vaporware, remains to be seen.

It's hard to argue with the success of the Soaring Eagle Casino, or the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, however.

Two New Casinos, And A Major Expansion

In the next few days, Michigan Casino Blog will provide more details regarding two new casinos under construction in southwest Michigan, the Gun Lake Casino, and the Firekeepers Casino.

In addition, details regarding the proposed expansion of the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant will receive full coverage.

Stay tuned for more details on these three casinos.

Standish Casino Receives Name

The new Indian casino being built in Standish, Michigan, by the Saginaw Chippewa tribe (operators of Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant) has been named Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino. It is unlikely the new casino will feature a live poker room at its opening.