Family features focus

A family-friendly video arcade, a high-end RV resort and a retail store are a few of the features in Northern Quest Resort and Casino's upcoming expansion project.

During a Feb. 22 press conference, representatives from the Kalispel Tribe Economic Authority announced it will soon break ground on the resort's 40,000 square foot, nearly $20 million, project. In addition to the aforementioned items, the expansion will include two additional food vendors and modifications to the plaza and roadway outside of the resort.

"It's a series of projects we are undertaking," Brandon Haugen, general manager of Kalispel Development Company said. "We're trying to find ways to utilize the land base we have out here for economic development and growth."

One of the expansion's main features is Kids Quest, a supervised hourly children's entertainment center for kids from 6 weeks up to age 12, which will be open 365 days a year.

At Kids Quest, children can make crafts at a creation station, play in an indoor gym or sing at the karaoke stage, allowing parents to enjoy the resort.

Located in the vicinity of Kids Quest is Cyber Quest, a supervised arcade that will feature 70 family friendly video games and a prize center. Like Kids Quest, the arcade will be open all year round.

During the press conference, Ann Zenor, director of business development for Kids Quest, said partnering with the resort had "been on our radar for quite some time."

"This is such a perfect fit, right down to the name," Zenor said of the partnership.

Haugen said the resort has always wanted to include family activities and the decision to collaborate with Kids Quest, which is based out of Plymouth, Minn., came about 18 months ago.

"We had that first meeting and we just hit it off," he said.

Located next to Kids Quest and Cyber Quest will be Windfall, a Kalispel-owned retail store that will let guests purchase outdoor items, home goods and jewelry.

"We see this as the first step in creating an expanded retail presence for Northern Quest," Haugen said.

The expansion also includes the Northern Quest RV Resort, which will be located adjacent to the Chevron gas station on Hayford Road. Managed by resort developer Bud Surles, the 17-acre RV park will feature standard site and luxury hookups, as well as 19 cottages for rent, a pool, sports courts and a dog park. The RV resort will also have an amenity center with a fitness center, laundry facility, a conference room and a lounge that guests can use.

Surles is a consultant who specializes in resort design and development, long range planning, land planning, and public recreation and park areas and has worked in the Outdoor Hospitality Industry since he was 16 years old. Haugen said he expects the RV resort to bring up to 50,000 guests per year.

Haugen also unveiled plans to modify the plaza and road system outside of the resort's grand entrance. He said the modifications are to make the area more "enjoyable and a little safer."

The groundbreaking for the expansion is scheduled for late spring 2017. The facilities and RV resort are expected to open in 2018.

During the press conference, Glen Nenema, Kalispel Tribal Chairman, reflected on the strides in development the tribe has made since the casino broke ground in 1999.

"It's been 17 years and there are days when I wake up and still can't believe what we've accomplished," he said.

Airway Heights City Manager Albert Tripp said the city is excited for the growth and progress happening at Northern Quest.

"This is going to help attract other businesses, other customers and enterprises to the West Plains," Tripp added.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.