THACKERVILLE, Okla. -- The Winstar Casino and Resort is expanding by 65,000 square feet, and the Chickasaw Nation broke ground on Wednesday.

More than 100 people attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the new convention center on the southeast side of the casino.

The facility will include a grand ballroom with seating up to 1,000 people, a junior ballroom seating 700, three board rooms, a kitchen, and additional office space.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby says the convention center will be a great attraction. "The intent is to increase business and in the process you create additional revenue and obviously it is going to have an economic impact on the community around us and primarily the Chickasaw nation," he said.

Construction should wrap in 15 months.


Winstar Casino breaks ground on expansion