on the cover
All pulling together
Chinook Winds Casino
Resort leads the way as
coast begins to re-open
Balancing risk and reward is
fundamental to running a casino. So, it is
fi tting that the team at Chinook Winds
Casino Resort in Lincoln City is taking the
lead as the Oregon Coast embarks on the
road toward re-opening the visitor economy.
Th e resort was ahead of the curve when,
on March 17, it closed its doors — six days
ahead of the order that shuttered other
lodging facilities in all seven of Lincoln
County’s cities as well as unincorporated
territory.
Now, the Siletz Tribal Council has made
the decision to reopen the resort, in phases,
with doors opening at 6 am on Th ursday,
May 21.
“We want to thank everyone in the
community, our team members and Tribal
members for their patience in waiting to
hear about our plans for reopening,” said
General Manager Michael S. Fisher. “We
are ready to welcome all those who feel safe
to visit.”
Th roughout the 10-week closure, resort
staff have fully disinfected all guest and
team member areas. Upon re-opening,
the casino will have modifi ed hours in
phase one to allow for daily cleaning and
disinfecting of the property. Th e executive
management team is regularly reviewing
local coronavirus data and trends to provide
recommendations to the Tribal Council as
the situation changes.
Among the major changes is the
introduction of a non-smoking policy
throughout the resort, and a requirement
that all team members and guests wear face
masks or face shields.
Occupancy will be limited to 1,000
guests at a time, with procedures in place
for excess guest populations, including a
mobile-queuing service that allows guests
to book their space in line while waiting in
their vehicle.
Upon entering the resort, all guests
and staff members will have their
temperature taken using no-contact infrared
thermometers. Guests and team members
who are demonstrating signs of illness will
be immediately removed from the building
to seek health care.
Heather Hatton of Chinook Winds Casino Resort tries out one of the physically-distanced slot machines,
Markers will be in place throughout
the resort to assist guests in maintaining
physical distancing. Health and hygiene
reminders throughout the property will
off er guidance on the proper way to wear,
handle and dispose of masks, while hand
sanitizer dispensers will be located at key
guest and team member contact areas.
Th is fi rst phase of the re-opening will
see the resort open at limited capacity, with
no table games on off er. Half of the casino’s
slot machines will be available for use, with
every second machine turned off in order to
ensure physical distancing. Slot machines
will be disinfected between each guest.
Bingo will be available, but limited to
200-seat sessions; and Keno will be on
off er at kiosks only. Sports wagering will be
available, with betting options depending
on which sporting events are going ahead.
Th e Deli, Rogue River Steakhouse and
Chinook’s Seafood Grill will all be open for
business, off ering modifi ed menus.
Lodging at the reort hotel will be open
with no in-room daily stay-over service and
limited lobby occupancy.
“Chinook Winds is fully committed to
following recommended health and safety
4 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • May 22, 2020
FRANK CAVEZZA
Eerily silent for 10 weeks, the gaming fl oor at Chinook Winds Casino Resort reopened at 6 am on
Thursday, May 21.
protocols to protect their team members
and guests,” Fisher said. “We will continue
to re-evaluate and make adjustments in the
coming weeks and months to slowly open
the remaining venues and amenities when it
is safe to do so.”
Chinook Winds Casino Resort will be
open 6 am to 2 am between May 21 and
25; and from 10 am to 2 am daily starting
on Starting May 26. Th e casino is located
at 1777 NW 44th Street, Lincoln City. For
more information, call 888-244-6665.