PRINCE ALBERT, SK – The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has unveiled plans for a multi-million-dollar expansion project of Northern Lights Casino, increasing the current gaming floor square footage and making major changes to the interior and exterior of the casino.
Construction for the expansion will begin in late September and will take up to two years, with the completion date set in 2026. The expansion will add 31,000 sq. ft. to Northern Lights Casino.
Expansion plans focus on adding square footage in high traffic areas of the casino including: an enhanced front entrance to the casino; increasing the square footage of the main gaming floor areas including a high limits slots space; an expanded smoking room; and enhancements to the food and beverage areas including the kitchen, sports bar and restaurant areas, and a new combined deli and floor bar area.
“Northern Lights Casino, in terms of number of visitors to the casino, is one of our busiest, out of seven casinos in the province,” said Zane Hansen, Northern Lights President and CEO. “We realize that the casino has outgrown its current operational footprint, and the time has come for an expansion. This expansion will increase the casino’s capacity to better serve our customers and the city of Prince Albert, the region, and entire province will enjoy this enhanced tourism destination and benefit from the increased economic activity the expanded casino will bring.”
Northern Lights Casino is located on Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Prince Albert. Representatives from SIGA, Northern Lights Casino, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Prince Albert Grand Council took part in the official renderings unveiling for the expansion project and ceremonial sod-turning at Northern Lights Casino.
As part of the expansion project, there will be a major refresh to the interior and exterior design of the building, modernizing the casino, while remaining true to SIGA’s roots in First Nations hospitality, noted Hansen, of the new casino design.
“For more than 28 years, Northern Lights Casino has played an important role in its local community,” said Angela Isbister, Northern Lights Casino General Manager. “Expansion to the casino not only benefits local businesses, but many sporting events, cultural events and community organizations. A few recent examples of community support by Northern Lights Casino & SIGA’s Community Investments Program, includes the Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games in La Ronge, WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in Prince Albert, PAGC Fine Arts Festival and a $25,000 donation to the Prince Albert Food Bank.”
SIGA, as a non-profit corporation, has a unique revenue distribution model, which reinvests all net revenue back into Saskatchewan. Casino net revenue is redistributed – 50 percent to the First Nations Trust (which is distributed to the 74 First Nations in the province), 25 percent to Community Development Corporations (CDCs), which reinvests the money back into local community initiatives and 25 percent to the provincial General Revenue Fund.
During construction, Northern Lights Casino will remain open to continue to serve its customers.