A goal Redding Rancheria has been fighting to achieve for years has come to fruition. The Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs has made formal decision to transfer some land between Interstate 5 and the Sacramento River into trust status so the tribe can build a new entertainment complex. The new Win River Casino is to be located on 232 acres in an area known as the Strawberry Fields just south of South Bonnyview Road. In addition to a casino that’ll be twice the size of the current Win River, there also will be a 250 room hotel, a parking structure, and an event center. The City of Redding has expressed concerns that the facility will cause traffic problems and compete with the Civic Auditorium. The property is not in city limits but was purchased from the city by the Rancheria. A rough relationship with the tribe has resulted from the city council’s opposition and attempts to thwart the plans. Federal officials released a final environmental impact statement earlier this year. The tribe anticipates more legal challenges, but they say they’re confident that the federal decision will hold up in court. No date has been stated for an expected ground breaking.
– Steve Gibson