By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
The dream of a casino, conference center, hotel and recreation facility has been on the minds of members of the Poarch Creek Indian tribe for many years. That dream became a reality with the Tuesday morning opening of Wind Creek Casino and Hotel near Atmore.
Creek Indian Enterprises President James T. Martin said he still finds it hard to believe.
Martin said the project has been long in coming but has been delivered to the tribe in the time frame promised.
Martin also said future expansions are already in the works at the complex.
PCI Gaming President and CEO Jay Dorris said the venture has brought more than gaming to tribal lands near Atmore.
Dorris said there are more than 100 tribal members on payroll at the facility, but a larger number of county residents have also been hired.
Dorris said the mission of Wind Creek is to provide entertainment and accommodations that will keep customers coming back to the facility.
Eating better will only be a matter of choice since the facility houses four restaurants that will be serving up meals that have won gold medals, Dorris said.
Stafford DeCambra is on staff as a master chef who has been awarded gold medals in a variety of culinary events. His achievements include more than 40 American Culinary Federation gold medals, plaques and food awards in various hot and cold culinary salon competitions nationally and internationally.
The 225,000 square-foot casino facility houses 1,600 electronic game machines in 57,000 square feet. The additional casino footage is occupied by a variety of restaurants, quick-service meal counters, a bar and a coffee shop.
The facility closed the casino doors at the Creek Entertainment Center last weekend to open the doors to Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Tuesday at 8 a.m. The facility is located on U.S. 21 North at I-65 and operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week.