The grand opening for the new, relocated Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, California has been set for May 9. Ground was broken for the casino just over two years ago, at a location near the Porterville Municipal Airport.
Eagle Mountain's Casino Assistant General Manager, Tiffani Sahagun, has said that a soft opening could also be held beforehand, in which the property may open its doors early, but only if it is totally ready and safe for the public.
The casino originally opened in 1990 in the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation, but in 2020 was allowed to relocate to Porterville after flooding limited access to both the reservation and casino.
The previous location has remained closed indefinitely. Sahagun said of the new location, “Employees are working around the clock to get it ready. We are excited to get it open as soon as possible.”
The Tule River Tribal Council will determine a new use for the original location. Future possibilities include a recreational center or a healthcare facility.
The new casino will continue to host some of its original features, including both the River Steak House and the Yokuts Coffee House. New additions will be Stafford’s Chocolates, and Porterville’s J&R Meat company, which has partnered with the venue.
The improved Eagle Mountain will also add a 2,000-seat event center, a hotel-convention center, a 24-hour diner, a sports bar and grill, over 1,700 slots and 20 table games.
Sahagun has been with the casino for 26 years, during which it has progressed from a location inside three manufactured trailers, to a 70,000-square-foot casino, to its nearly-ready new location. She said of the project, “It's been a long time in coming.”
