Bowling alley coming to Cherokee
A family adventure park is not the only project in the works on the Qualla Boundary. In February, Tribal Council approved a resolution from Principal Chief Patrick Lambert to build a $13 million bowling facility adjacent to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.
“The resolution itself fulfills the idea of putting it where it is the most feasible to make the most money yet still have an entrance that our tribal members can go and enjoy the facility,” Lambert told Tribal Council.
The facility would be built without taking out any additional debt, Lambert, said with the tribe paying for half of the project and the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise picking up the other half. The tribe’s portion would come from reserves.
“It’s not just simply bowling,” said Vice Chief Richie Sneed. “This will also keep and attract people on the casino property, which helps drive revenue up in gaming.”
The two-story building would have bowling lanes on both floors, sell food and drink — including alcohol, as it would be part of the casino — and include a family arcade area with ticket games.
“The financial projections look really, really good and probably the most important thing is we’re not borrowing any money to do this,” Sneed said.
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The proposal met favorable comment from tribal member Peggy Hill.
“It’s a real outlet for those of us who are older,” she said. “It’s not very strenuous, it’s very social.”
The resolution passed with opposition from Councilmember Bo Crowe, of Wolfetown, and Councilmember Anita Lossiah, of Yellowhill. Councilmember Adam Wachacha, of Snowbird, abstained from the vote.
