The Cherokee Casino at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., reopened Wednesday, three months after a tornado ripped through the complex causing widespread wreckage.
Three horses died and many more were injured when the category EF-3 tornado hit on May 25, Memorial Day weekend.
While no serious injuries to humans were reported, the exterior of the casino building was damaged by powerful winds, and the interior was flooded by accompanying torrential rain. Significant damage was also done to the racetrack’s grandstand, while RVs were flipped at the nearby campground.
But now, the reels are spinning again on the newly carpeted gaming floor and the track will be ready to go when the racing season starts on September 9.
On Wednesday, Cherokee officials, casino employees, and the Claremore Chamber of Commerce all attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening.
“Finishing this project, even in the short period of time, means the workforce that we maintained during this downtime means they can get back to work,” stated Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
“It means the economic impact that we have through Will Rogers Downs in the community and the Cherokee Nation will continue. So, it’s a very proud day. I am glad to see it,” he added.
Hoskin said that during the downtime, the tribe was able to move all employees to other businesses. The tribe owns 10 casinos on its 7,000 square-mile reservation in northeastern Oklahoma.
“We made sure that people continued to get a paycheck, and that’s the most important thing,” Hoskin said. “Having them back in what is their work home, it is a real family here, it is real special to them.”
The local horse racing industry praised the speed at which the Nation worked to get the track back up and running, a feat that required significant manpower, according to Hoskins.
“I think we had major concern initially,” Krissy Bamberg, executive director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, told News on 6 Oklahoma. “When you looked at the damage, there was no way you could really fathom that they would have it back so soon.”
“This is the livelihood for our guys,” she added. “Most of our guys are Oklahomans and want to stay in Oklahoma. So, without Will Rogers running this time of year, they have to go to other states like Louisiana and Texas.”
