City girds for debate over proposed casino

Photo by Geek 7. Boon or bust stakes come to Salida?

Clanging slot machines and thumping bass beats could become the newest sounds on the Arkansas River if plans for a $160 million casino in downtown Salida win approval from Salida City Council.

Earlier this week, the Citizen learned Las Vegas-based Royale Casino Group submitted plans for its $160 million Salida Royale Casino on the site of the present Calco plant, which Royale has optioned to purchase.

Retired city planner Kirsten Hollard, who recently reviewed the casino plans, said she thought the proposal offered an excellent economic development opportunity for Salida to enhance the city’s tourism offerings and positively address the physical and economic regeneration of edge-of-town sites, as called for in Salida’s master plan.

Despite the casino’s upside potential, Hollard said she told council members to expect emotions to run high and council chambers to be standing-room-only when the proposal has its first public hearing later this month.

Royale spokesperson Myron Naccarato, said many locals have told him they consider the Calco plant an eyesore and would be happy to see in its place the type of quality adult entertainment, sales tax, gaming revenues and jobs the casino would bring to Salida. Meanwhile, local historians consider the dilapidated building a landmark. Therefore, Naccarato said development plans call for gutting and restoring the existing Calco building and transforming it into a state-of-the-art multi-level casino, bar, restaurant and nightclub.

The main feature of the Salida Royale will be its 20,000-square-foot Rolling on the River gaming hall which will boast hundreds of all the classic limited stakes games allowed under Colorado Law including slots, video poker, video blackjack, video keno, and table games of poker, blackjack, and three-card poker. Colorado law requires that a single wager not exceed $5 and that maximum operating hours are from 8am to 2am.

Naccarato said the Royale’s nightclub, Rapids, will feature theater seating, and a 12-by-12-foot dance floor in front of a two-sided, rotating stage built to accommodate different types of entertainment from solo performers to rock bands. No expense will be spared on the nightclub’s multimedia light and sound technology.

Local artist and early casino critic Phyllis Steen scoffed at plans for a casino in Salida. Steen offered her predictions for the type of entertainment and clients the Salida Royale will attract:  “Comedians who aren’t funny, washed up classic rock bands, and busloads of cranky slots players. It’s an affront to our mountain lifestyle.”

Naccarato countered by saying Royale Group has plans to preserve the local character of the area. Salida Royale’s restaurant, Lago, will serve authentic Italian cuisine and wines from the Calabria region of Italy, the birthplace of many of Salida’s early settlers. The Commodore’s Club bar is a nod to the time-honored FIBArk Whitewater Festival tradition of appointing an honorary commodore to oversea FIBArk festivities. Naccarato said Royale Group’s master mixologist, Phillipp DeSchaaker is working on concocting a signature drink he hopes lands alongside the Appletini, his first invention inducted into the Museum of the American Cocktail Hall of Fame. Inspired by the legendary dog enshrined nearby, Deschakker said his goal for the drink he’s calling the Loyal Duke, is to surpass the Bloody Mary as the top choice for revelers needing a morning-after ‘hair of the dog” tonic.

To view & comment on the Salida Royale site plan and zoning application, click here.