Shawnee, OK – Celebrating the placement of the last floor of the Grand Hotel prompted cheers from those who attended the topping off ceremony on July 12, 2012. This ceremony honored the tradespeople and craftsmen of the Flintco team who built the facility with careful attention to quality construction and safety. Flintco then honored the Citizen Potawatomi Nation by flying the CPN flag at the top of the Grand Hotel.
Expanding to better serve their clientele, the new Grand Hotel features a 14-story guestroom tower with 262 suites. Sporting the same architectural style as the casino, the 144,000 square foot hotel will feature a Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced design.
Meeting rooms, a spa, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and entertainment areas are among the amenities. In addition to the hotel, a new theater is also being constructed and will accommodate 2,500 people for concerts and conventions. The Grand Hotel and new theater are welcome additions to the Grand Casino Resort and Citizen Potawatomi Nation properties. “We were excited to see that last floor has been poured and placed for the Grand Hotel,” said Steve Degraffenreid, General Manager of the Grand Casino. “The addition of the hotel and resort amenities will benefit our guests at the casino and tourists traveling through our state.”
“The Grand Hotel has officially topped-out at 14 stories, approximately 141 feet tall, making it the tallest structure on Interstate 40 between OKC and Little Rock,” reported John A. ‘Rocky’ Barrett, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Chairman. “This represents one of many projects that are being planned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.”
Construction management for the project has been provided by Flintco, LLC, largest Native American-owned company and one of the largest commercial contractors in the nation. Headquartered in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, with other offices throughout the USA, Flintco was founded in 1908 and is in its third generation of private family ownership. “We feel fortunate to be able to work with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation again,” said Mark Grimes, Division President for Flintco. “We have enjoyed working with them on the casino, the parking garage, and now the Grand Hotel and Event Center.”
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation and the Grand Casino invite the public to come by and check out the progress on their newest venture. Set to finish in early 2013, the Grand Hotel will provide many employment opportunities in the area, including Shawnee, Tecumseh, McLoud, and Eastern Oklahoma County area.
Presented with pride by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the Grand Casino features more than 1,800 Vegas-style games in the beautiful 125,000 square foot facility, from the hottest slot machines to some 100 table games. Six percent of the Grand’s net gaming revenue goes to support the state’s public education from the games designated “Class 3, Oklahoma Compact.” Dining options range from sizzling steaks at Embers Steakhouse to the exciting Grandstand Sports Grille and The Grand Buffet. The Grand Casino is conveniently located just east of Oklahoma City on Interstate 40 at Exit 178 in Shawnee.