Bay Mills Resort & Casino Begins $85 Million Expansion

Last month, the Bay Mills Indian Community held a groundbreaking ceremony for an $85 million expansion at their Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley, Michigan. 

The renovations have been scheduled for several years now. When we first reported on the story, renovations were expected to total $65 billion. The $20 million increase could be attributed to rising material and labor costs over the past year. 

“This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Bay Mills Resort & Casino and the Bay Mills Indian Community,” said Richard LeBlanc, the General Manager at Bay Mills Resort. “We are excited to celebrate the hard work that has culminated in this investment, and we look forward to growing our amenities to serve our great customers.”

Bay Mills Indian Community President Whitney Gravelle commented, “Our journey has been guided by the wisdom of our ancestors who have long been trailblazers in Indian Country. From establishing the first casino in the State of Michigan to pioneering new ideas, Bay Mills has always been at the forefront of innovation. Today, we continue their legacy with this new endeavor – a project that will not only elevate Bay Mills Resort, but also the entire Eastern Upper Peninsula.”

What Amenities Are Included in Renovation Plans?

The Bay Mills Resort & Casino already boasts several amenities for guests, including over 600 slots and table games for patrons to enjoy. Located in Brimley, Michigan, on the Waiska Bay, just a 25-minute drive from Sault Ste. Marie, resort guests are fortunate to have access to miles of well-groomed snowmobile, ATV, and hiking trails. The resort also has a championship 18-hole golf course, a live sportsbook, several restaurants, and an RV park with over 124 sites. There is something for everyone to appreciate at Bay Mills, and the new upgrades will surely set the casino apart from the other luxury casinos in the Great Lakes state.

The eighty-five million dollar renovation will include 134 additional rooms with balconies, a new deli, a nail salon, a fitness center, an arcade, and conference spaces. The employee break room is also undergoing a facelift to help accommodate their growing staff. The resort is also expected to receive a new spa with massage therapy rooms, a pool with a splash pad, and new hot tubs. 

Outside the casino, guests will be able to enjoy new fishing piers, marina upgrades, gardens, gazebos, and new outdoor patio spaces. 

Timeline

The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 6th, when members of the Bay Mills Executive Council and Enterprise Team gathered to celebrate the project at the Bay Mills Resort and Casino. Initially, the project was predicted to be completed in 2024 but is now expected to be finished in the fall of 2025. 

The casino/hotel has reported it will stay open during the duration of the project. 

“We are so excited to celebrate the hard work and innovation that has culminated in this historic investment, for your support, your enthusiasm, and your trust have fueled our ambition to reach new heights, and for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Gravelle. “This ceremony will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of Bay Mills Indian Community and Bay Mills Resort & Casino. As we embark on this journey of growth and transformation, we know that none of this would be possible without our community – our tribal citizens, employees, and partners.”

Mac Daniel is a writer for PlayOnlineCasino and PlayOnlineSportsBetting. He has experience writing about a wide variety of topics, including healthcare, tourism, non-profit organizations, and most recently casino and sportsbetting news. To check out more of his work, visit: playonlinemichigan.com