September 30, 2020
CTUIR BROADENS ECONOMIC BASE WITH FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
Mission, OR – The expansion project at Wildhorse Resort & Casino that brought a bowling center, food court and arcade to Eastern Oregon opened to the public on September 24. A group of masked and socially-distanced onlookers witnessed a ribbon-cutting ceremony before eagerly walking the promenade to take in the shiny, new bowling center.
Family FunPlex
This year, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) established a new revenue source by adding a Family FunPlex to the existing Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The $35 million expansion adds to the appeal of Wildhorse as a destination resort and provides more opportunities for visitors of any age to be entertained.
Wildhorse Resort & Casino opened its doors 25 years ago and has been through a number of expansions, the most significant being the $45 million construction of a ten-story hotel tower in 2011 and the addition of a convention center in 2005.
Quaking Aspens Lanes
Quaking Aspens Lanes, the 24-lane, state-of-the-art bowling center is a welcome sight to bowlers in the area who have had to drive an hour round trip in order to bowl for fun or to participate in leagues. The local bowling alley in Pendleton closed in 2015 and there was much anticipation for a new facility to take its place.
Sixteen adjoining lanes are targeted for open and league play. Across the room, eight boutique lanes are available for parties and events. Private rooms, special packages, and catering options can be added to personal or corporate celebrations. A full bar is right around the corner.
Service and convenience are a big part of the experience at Quaking Aspens Lanes. Bowlers can choose from an all-inclusive food court menu and place their order with a lane server who delivers their snacks, meals and beverages. Menus can be viewed online or at lane terminals.
Food Court
The food court at Wildhorse not only provides delicious cuisine to guests, it also gives a boost to tribal-member owned businesses. Two of the restaurants in the food court are owned by members of the CTUIR. Bringing tempting culinary variety to the Family FunPlex are Moe Phở and Brigham Fish ‘n Chips.
Wildhorse Resort & Casino will be the second location for Moe Phở, the first being in downtown Pendleton. Owned by Whitney Minthorn and Moe Soeum, the focus is on popular cuisine from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Many ingredients are sourced from Thailand and the eatery provides gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian options. In business since February 2018, Moe Phở Noodles & Cafe prepares their food fresh to order with high quality ingredients and authentic recipes.
Also opening a second venture is Kim Brigham-Campbell. The Brigham family is well known in the Columbia Plateau for harvesting and selling fresh, wild-caught fish along the Columbia River. In 2014, Brigham-Campbell opened a full service restaurant in Cascade Locks selling both fresh fish and prepared meals including fish and chips, po’boy sandwiches and chowders. Brigham Fish ‘n Chips at Wildhorse features a selection of favorites from the original store’s menu.
The Wildhorse-run restaurant serves family favorites like pizza, burgers, salads and appetizers. The ice cream and pastry shop is right next door and features quality Tillamook ice cream along with an assortment of treats to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Arcade
Another family favorite is the new Wildhorse arcade which is significantly larger than the original arcade with almost 2500 square feet of play space. Young gamers can choose from over 30 high-tech games and experiences in a single room, a luxury you don’t often find in rural resorts.
Arcade guests use their FUNcard as currency at arcade machines. The card can be loaded with any amount desired and is rechargeable. It keeps track of points racked up by players which can be traded for prizes at the redemption center.
CTUIR leadership has eagerly anticipated the opening of the Family FunPlex. Board of Trustees Chair Kat Brigham expressed the tribes’ passion for this significant project.
“The Tribe is very pleased to see our planning for the FunPlex move forward. We are very pleased to offer bowling as a sporting activity for the entire community,” stated Brigham. “So many families love this sport and we all look forward to seeing everyone enjoy this entertainment venue.”
The Family FunPlex is expected to open to the public before the end of September. Updates and information can be found at https://www.wildhorseresort.com/family-funplex/ or call 800-654-9453.
About Wildhorse Resort & Casino:
Centrally situated between Boise, Spokane and Portland, Wildhorse Resort & Casino is a premier destination for family getaways, business meetings and large conventions. The resort features a 24-hour casino, bowling center, hotel, RV Park, ten restaurants, a five-screen Cineplex, 18-hole championship golf course, travel plaza (for commercial trucks and private vehicles) and a tribal museum. Expanded in 2011 and 2020, there is no destination experience like it in the Pacific Northwest. Wildhorse offers over 1200 slots, all your favorite table games, live keno, bingo and live entertainment Thursday-Saturday. Wildhorse is located just off I-84 at exit 216, four miles east of Pendleton, OR. Wildhorse is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
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For information, contact Mary Liberty-Traughber at 800-654-9453, extension 1628, or mary.liberty@wildhorseresort.com.
Photo credit – Wildhorse Resort & Casino
