Ned Norris of the Tohono O’odham Nation says the tribe is ready to move forward after years of lawsuits and deadlock, at the groundbreaking of the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino near Glendale on Dec. 1, 2017. Perry Vandell/The Republic
Tohono O'odham Nation leaders use digging sticks at the groundbreaking of the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino near Glendale on Dec. 1, 2017.(Photo: Perry Vandell/The Republic)
Corrections & clarifications: The last name of Ned Norris was incorrect in previous versions of the video and photo captions accompanying this story.
The long-awaited Desert Diamond West Valley Casino that will include table games, as well as slot machines, broke ground on Friday.
The 75,000-square-foot casino near Glendale will greatly expand the Tohono O'odham Nation's casino floor and include five restaurants.
The $400 million project is expected to take about two years to complete. The tribe's current casino, near Loop 101 and Northern Avenue, will remain open during that time.
MORE: Desert Diamond West Valley Casino to begin massive expansion
The new casino will be north of the current site, which will eventually be used as a warehouse.
The project will eventually include a resort and spa, although Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise CEO Andy Asselin said there's no estimate on when that work would begin or how large it would be. He said it might have between 300 and 400 rooms, but said market research would determine design details.
The larger casino is expected to bring about 1,000 new jobs, taking total staffing to 1,600, Asselin said.
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Ned Norris, who was Tohono O'odham chairman when the tribe announced its plans for the West Valley casino in 2009, participated in the groundbreaking.
Norris now is director of governmental affairs for the tribe's gaming enterprise and he opened the ceremony by reciting news headlines about the tribe's struggle to build a Class III casino.
Ned Norris of the Tohono O'odham Nation speaks at the groundbreaking of the Desert Diamond West Valley Casino near Glendale on Dec. 1, 2017. (Photo: Perry Vandell/The Republic)
The tribe initially faced resistance from Glendale and other tribes, and eventually from state leaders. After years of lawsuits, the tribe opened a limited casino in 2015. Work on the expanded casino comes after tribal and state leaders reached a settlement earlier this year.
MORE: How we got here: the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley
"Patience, persistence, perseverance," Norris repeated.
"We've come a long way," he said. "Our nation has come a long way. Our leadership has come a long way."
Norris thanked tribal, government and community leaders for breaking free from the deadlock — despite the roadblocks they encountered.
"We didn't always see eye to eye on this issue and we probably still won't see eye to eye on other issues related to this," Norris said. "But one of the things we've been able to do is to sit down with the leadership and explain and talk and listen and hear their concerns and work out those differences that we may have on this issue."
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers stood along tribal leaders to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony.
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READ MORE:
What you need to know about the West Valley casino settlement
You can now buy alcohol at Desert Diamond West Valley Casino
See inside the new Desert Diamond Casino West Valley
Desert Diamond Casino near Glendale opens to fanfare
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