NAMBE PUEBLO— The pueblo of Nambé has tabled plans for a "Star Trek"-themed casino, citing economic concerns.
Instead, the pueblo intends to build a much smaller casino with 200 slot machines adjacent to its new travel center located at Exit 177 off U.S. 84/285 north of Santa Fe.
The challenge of competing with Pojoaque Pueblo's new $280 million casino just up the road was a key factor in Nambé's decision to abandon its plans— at least for now— for a 50,000-square-foot casino in Cuyamunge, pueblo officials told the Journal last week.
The casino was originally slated to open later this year, with gaming, entertainment and dining facilities, and a beam of light shining into the night sky.
But last winter, the company that was to help arrange the financing, development and management of the casino released a market study revising the recommended scope and size of the casino. Full House Resorts also indicated it would need to delay construction.
Difficulty in securing financing for the project was chief reason why the tribal council voted in January to postpone the casino, said George Yates, president of the Nambé Pueblo Development Corporation. Full House, which did not return calls for comment, is no longer partnering with the tribe, Yates said.
Yates said the pueblo is moving forward with the smaller project in a different location— the "Nambé Falls Casino," adjacent to the travel center opening April 4.
Design plans call for a waterfall and model buffalo in front of the $8 million casino. Inside, the 8,400-square-foot facility will have slots, perhaps a snack bar and room for a possible sports bar and grill in the future.
The pueblo hopes the travel center's Java City coffee lounge, smokeshop, post office, Arby's, gas and biofuel will draw in some of the 32,000 commuters who pass by daily. The casino and travel center are being designed by Rick Bennett Architects of Albuquerque. The projects are the first such commercial ventures for the pueblo.
Nambé officials expect the casino's clientele to be overflow gamblers from Pojoaque's Buffalo Thunder Resort, as well as commuters who stop into the convenience store for a cup of joe.
Pueblo officials say they will study the larger casino project in the future.
