Sycuan Tribal Council Chairman Cody Martinez unveils the future Sycuan Casino expansion plans at a groundbreaking ceremony at the casino. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News

SAN DIEGO–The Sycuan Tribal Council Tuesday joined more than 300 VIP guests at Sycuan Casino for a groundbreaking ceremony of the casino expansion.

Sycuan Tribal Council Chairman Cody Martinez and Sycuan Casino General Manager John Dinius unveiled the expansion plans with a slide presentation on a giant screen.

The Sycuan Casino organization has started construction on its $226 million expansion. The project includes not only an expansion of the gaming floor and available player positions, but also provides several program and amenity enhancements to the property.

Expansion of the gaming experience will include casino floor space to accommodate a total of 2,500 Class III machines, 300 Class II machines and 80 table games throughout the facility.

A dramatic 12-story hotel tower will feature 300 guest rooms, including 50 suites in various configurations and amenity packages. The hotel will also feature a spa and fitness area that will provide a full-service experience including treatment rooms, steam and sauna and a variety of exercise equipment.

The pool and gardens area will feature a resort style adult pool, including cabanas and open pool deck, along with a bar and grill, lazy river and a dedicated family pool.

Sycuan Casino and Resort’s new 12-story hotel tower will feature 300 guest rooms.

Conferences and events will be supported through an 11,401 square-foot ballroom with a concert seating capacity of 1,200 and a banquet seating capacity of 700. Breakout meeting rooms including a junior ballroom will not only provide added meeting flexibility, but also the opportunity for interior and exterior events, including weddings and social functions. The junior ballroom will feature west-facing exterior exposure with views of the pool and gardens and the stunning backdrop of the surrounding hills.

Taking advantage of the dramatic western views of the pools and gardens, are a broad mix of fast casual to fine dining options. Options will include a Fresh Market of fast casual options, a raw bar and exterior lounge, a contemporary three meal restaurant and a chef-driven fine dining experience. Improvements will be made to a number of the existing food and beverage venues, including a conversion of the existing GameDay Sports Bar and Grill to a brew house focused on local craft beer.

“It is with great excitement and pride that we are making this investment,” said Cody Martinez, chairman of the Sycuan Tribal Council. “This is not only on behalf of the tribe, but on behalf of our team members and our guests. We are taking Sycuan to the next level.”

“We are very excited to offer our clientele a number of new amenities,” said John Dinius, general manager at Sycuan Casino. “All of these non-gaming amenities have become important to not only offer a full-service resort experience for our guests, but also to stay competitive in this environment.”