Last Beam Ceremony Held at Lucky Star Casino

It was a red-letter day Aug. 31 at the building site of the new Lucky Star Casino under construction by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

The occasion was the ‘Topping-off Ceremony’ where the final beam was lifted into place on the building’s frame. It was heralded by an opening prayer from Gordon Yellowman, a Southern Cheyenne Chief, while Gov. Reggie Wassana made the opening remarks. Cheyenne Legislator Bruce Whiteman made remarks and read those sent by Arapaho Legislator Billie Sutton, who, like Lt. Gov. Gib Miles, was unable to attend.

Many of the speeches focused on the future, and a cooperation between the Tribes, the town and the casino.

The city of Watonga and the enterprise have already reached an agreement on providing water and sewer services to the 80-room hotel when it is completed. According to Watonga interim city manager Larry Mitchell, the two are still in negotiations about electrical service.

“We’ve been meeting fairly regularly for the past four or five months,” Mitchell said. “I believe we are fairly close to an agreement on the costs and terms of an internal governmental agreement. We are down to legal terms and writing.”

Mitchell said the city had been proactive in providing the build site with temporary power and extending the city’s water lines to the building.

Once the addresses were completed, everyone who had a part in the planning, construction or well wishing for the casino and hotel was invited to sign that last beam. Once it was signed by Tribal elders, city officials, employees, construction workers, engineers and contractors, it was hoisted into the air flying the flags of the C&A Nation and the United States of America. Then it was slowly lowered into place where it will forever bear the names of those in attendance.

When the beam was in place, Rory Littleraven, a chief of the Arapaho Tribe and general manager of Lucky Star Watonga, offered a prayer and a luncheon was served. That luncheon was in single serve disposable packaging, but many of those present spoke of looking forward to the day when the casino can hold its grand opening in fine style, in a Covid-free environment, it is hoped.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com