WORLEY - The seventh major expansion, and the largest expansion yet, will add hotel rooms, casino space, gourmet dining, a spa and other facilities both indoor and out at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel.

A grand opening is scheduled 11 a.m. May 2 in the new promenade, "Skycatcher."

"Our guests can expect something very special here," said Chief Executive Officer Dave LaSarte-Meeks. "Years of planning have gone into what we believe will be a unique, luxury destination resort. But it will always continue to cater to guests from all walks of life. We are truly expanding the experience for all who come here."

The 98 new hotel rooms (300 total) and fitness center bring two new wings, offering views of Circling Raven Golf Club, area wetlands and the rolling Palouse grasslands and fields. The state-of-the-art spa, which will be in the new hotel facilities, will cover 15,000 square feet.

Fine dining will include a gourmet steakhouse serving dry-aged, prime beef. A "front yard" will rise to the south of the main building, offering two natural amphitheaters for concerts and other outdoor events.

The new pub is called, "Yap kee num" (gathering place), and will be something of a centerpiece in the design, opening outdoors to the front yard and amphitheaters.

Currently employing about 1,000, the resort expects to add upward of 150 jobs.

The Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel took an "environmentally sensitive approach" with the expansion.

Efforts that began with massive recycling of paper products, cardboard, kitchen waste and plastic, have evolved via the recent remodel and current expansion to include an effort toward LEED certification.

The state-of-the-art Bio Membrane Reactor went on-line last summer, massively reducing the flow of solid waste and allowing the resort, through recycling, to save some 35 million gallons of water per year.

All new facilities are designed by Mithun Architects of Seattle.

The Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel opened as a 30,000-square-feet bingo hall in March 1993. After the first six expansions, the current property has 202 hotel rooms, Events Center, 100,000 square feet of casino space, buffet, restaurant, deli and gift shop.

Circling Raven Golf Club opened in 2003. A major remodel in 2007-08 created new work areas, offices, employee lounge and other non-public facilities. That project also included the Stensgar Pavilion and the CRGC cart storage building.

If you go

The grand opening of the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort expansion is set for 11 a.m. Monday, May 2 in the Skycatcher, the new promenade. Speakers will be Chief Allan, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and Dave LaSarte-Meeks, CEO. Area business and community leaders and elected officials are invited. Tribal elders will cut the ribbon, and the ceremony will include a drum group and honor song.