Inn expansion put on temporary hold
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October 25, 2012 |
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Work began
late last month clearing houses,
including the old Blue Bird store, along
the north side of Arizona Street in
Bonners Ferry's Eaton Addition to make
room for expanding the Kootenai River
Inn with 36 new guest rooms. |
| Kathleen
Dinning photo |
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| An artist's
rendition of what the Kootenai River Inn
expansion project will look like when
completed in May, 2013. |
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By Mike Weland
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Kootenai
Tribal Chair Jennifer Porter |
Work got underway recently on a 20,800 square
foot expansion project to add 36 new guest rooms
at the Kootenai River Inn, but the project has
been put on voluntary temporary hold to address
concerns raised by the city and the Army Corps
of Engineers.
"It was basically a lack of communication
between all the parties involved," Bonners Ferry
City Administrator Steve Boorman told the mayor
and city council at a special meeting Monday.
The questions, Boorman said, regard the height
of the levy, whether all necessary Army Corps
permits have been approved and issued and the
status of landscaping work planned on city
property.
The issues, he said, are expected to be resolved
in short order so that the project can continue.
In June, renovation work was completed on all
the existing riverfront guest rooms, including a
new shower and bath design exclusive to the
Kootenai Tribe, which owns the inn. The design
will be continued in the new wing, which is
expected to be complete in May.
The new wing will also upgrade the inn's laundry
and engineering facilities.
"We always want the best experience for our
guests," said Kootenai Tribal Chair Jennifer
Porter. "That has led to many improvements over
the years. Now well be excited to welcome people
to these beautiful new rooms."
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Another
rendering of the completed project. |
The Kootenai River Inn opened in 1986 and
rapidly became one of the largest private
employers in Boundary County and the cornerstone
of the county's tourism and hospitality industry
under the management of Hagadone Hospitality.
When this project is complete, the inn will
boast 101 guest rooms, including two new deluxe
family suites, more than 500 gaming machines in
three casinos, the world-class Springs
Restaurant and Lounge and the Kootenai Spa,
drawing guests to our community from around the
world, primarily from Idaho, Canada, Washington
and Montana.
"The Tribal Council is excited to be able to
expand employment during these challenging
economic times and create new opportunities for
our existing and new team members," Porter said.
The architectural design of the new addition was
created by Rann Haight Architect, Coeur d'Alene,
the architectural work by Longwell + Trapp
Architects, Hayden, and construction by T.W.
Clark, Spokane.
To find out more about the Kootenai River Inn &
Casino, visit
www.kootenairiverinn.com or call
1-888-875-8259 (888-87-LUCKY).
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