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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2016
Chickasaw Nation
to Reestablish Tourism Destination
at Lake Texoma
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill
Anoatubby Announce Partnership to Create Resort
OKLAHOMA CITY - The state of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation
today announced plans to develop a resort hotel and
other amenities at Lake Texoma in southeastern Oklahoma.
The initial plans call for the Chickasaw Nation to construct a three-story
hotel, a restaurant and gift shop, a casino featuring up to 300 electronic
games and as many as 10 lakefront fishing/boating cottages, Chickasaw Governor
Bill Anoatubby said. The project covers 50 acres of lakefront property,
overlooking Lake Texoma and the historic Roosevelt Bridge. It also involves
about 11.5 acres of land acquired by the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO)
from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.
The hotel will include a lounge and meeting rooms, an outdoor pool
and recreation area, a fitness center, gift shop, restaurant and a business
center, he said.
The project is the result of a
settlement negotiated by the CLO, which worked to bring a resolution to the
property that was once home to the popular Lake Texoma Lodge and Resort. A
private developer bought the property in 2006 and the lodge was demolished in
2009, but plans did not come to fruition. Developers blamed the economic
downturn of 2008.
“We believe this
project will help launch a transformation of this area into a major tourism and
recreation attraction,” said Anoatubby. “We look forward to working with the
state on a project we expect to have a positive impact on jobs and our economy
for decades to come.”
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said she has been a long-time
believer in the potential
of the Lake Texoma area to be an economic driver in Oklahoma.
“This project will create jobs and revenue for southern Oklahoma
while at the same time maintaining the beauty of the site,” said Fallin. “The
Lake Texoma lodge and golf course for many years were a top tourist attraction
in the region. This hotel and commercial development will be the catalyst to
stimulate significantly greater economic development in the future. I appreciate
Governor Anoatubby’s vision and willingness to partner with the state of
Oklahoma to continue our joint efforts focusing on tourism in this beautiful
and strategically located part of our state.”
The development will be off U.S. 70, across from the Chickasaw Pointe
Golf Course near the site of the old Lake Texoma State Lodge. Preliminary plans allow for future expansion
of the hotel and the construction of additional waterfront cottages.
The Chickasaw Nation must first apply to place the land just north
of the Texas border into trust status – a process that potentially could take
several months or more.
“If the land can be placed into trust, our intent and plan is to
develop this premier lakefront property into destination lodging and a casino,” said Bill Lance, secretary of commerce for
the Chickasaw Nation.
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