12 Jun 2026
Kewadin Casinos Advance Multi-Million Dollar Renovation Program Across Upper Peninsula Properties
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians operates Kewadin Casinos, and officials there have outlined the next stage of a multiyear, multi-million-dollar renovation initiative that will touch all five properties scattered throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This phase centers on hotel room refreshes, expanded or newly equipped RV parks offering full hookups, upgrades to bars, restaurants, and delis, plus major additions such as a waterpark and sports bar at the main Sault Ste. Marie site, with construction slated to start in summer or fall 2026 and continue into 2027.
Scope of the Current Upgrade Phase
Work will address guest accommodations first, bringing modern finishes and updated amenities to hotel rooms at each location while crews enhance RV facilities to include complete utility connections that appeal to travelers who prefer self-contained stays. Food and beverage outlets will receive targeted improvements ranging from refreshed interiors to expanded service options, and the flagship property will gain a dedicated waterpark along with a new sports bar designed to draw regional visitors and families alike.
Flagship Location Leads with Signature Additions
At the Sault Ste. Marie casino the most visible changes include construction of an indoor waterpark and a sports bar that together aim to broaden the venue's draw beyond gaming. These features sit alongside ongoing hotel and dining upgrades already underway, creating a unified push that integrates lodging, recreation, and dining under one coordinated schedule. Project timelines call for phased completion so that portions of the property remain open to guests throughout the process.
Updates at the Remaining Four Properties
The four additional Kewadin locations will see parallel work on their hotel inventories, RV infrastructure, and food service areas, though each site will receive improvements scaled to its current footprint and visitor patterns. Full-hookup RV sites will expand capacity at properties where space allows, while bar and deli areas will feature new equipment and layouts intended to speed service and increase menu variety. Coordination across sites ensures consistent standards in materials and design language even as individual projects adapt to local conditions.
Timeline and Phased Implementation
Work is scheduled to begin in summer or fall of 2026, with crews moving from property to property in sequence so that overlapping projects do not strain local labor or supply chains. Completion targets stretch into 2027, allowing time for permitting, weather-related delays common in the Upper Peninsula, and final inspections. Officials have indicated that some elements, such as hotel room turnovers, may finish earlier within the overall window while larger builds like the waterpark require the full duration.
Focus on Family and Regional Visitors
Project descriptions emphasize enhancements that broaden appeal to families and regional travelers rather than solely gaming enthusiasts. The addition of a waterpark, improved RV infrastructure, and refreshed dining spaces aligns with strategies that position the properties as multi-day destinations. Data from similar regional casino projects show that such amenities often extend average length of stay and encourage repeat visits from nearby communities in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario.
Operational Continuity During Construction
Because the casinos remain open throughout the renovation period, management has planned construction sequences that minimize disruption to gaming floors and essential services. Temporary barriers, alternate entrances, and clear signage will guide guests around active work zones, while advance notice of any short-term closures for specific areas will be posted on property websites and social channels. This approach mirrors practices used in earlier phases of the same multiyear program.
Conclusion
The current phase of upgrades at Kewadin Casinos continues a longer-term capital improvement effort by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians across its five Upper Peninsula properties. By addressing lodging, RV facilities, dining venues, and signature recreational additions at the flagship location, the program targets a wider visitor base while maintaining operational continuity. Construction beginning in summer or fall 2026 and extending into 2027 will deliver the planned enhancements in measured stages, according to details released in local coverage and confirmed through industry reporting.