Despite their ongoing troubles with county officials in Escambia County (Ala.), the Poarch Band of Creek Indians have announced the go ahead for an ambitious new project at their casino location in Wetumpka.

According to PCI Public Relations Coordinator Lynn Woodcock, plans were unveiled Wednesday to turn Wetumpka’s Creek Casino into a deluxe resort that the tribe hopes will attract tourists from around the country to their location just outside Montgomery.

PCI Gaming Authority (PCIGA), the gaming enterprise owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, announced the project at a press conference on the building site Wednesday where construction has already begun on Wind Creek Wetumpka, which is slated to open in late fall of 2013.

“We have set very high standards for our Wind Creek Casino and Hotel brand,” said Jay Dorris, president of PCIGA. “This is one of the most beautiful settings imaginable for this kind of first-class resort, and we want it to offer the same kind of quality experience that people have come to expect from Wind Creek in Atmore, which is one of the few hotels in our state with a Four Diamond rating.”

The new resort is slated to include a 20-story hotel tower with 285 rooms and suites, all of which will overlook the Coosa River.  The property will feature a 90,000 square foot gaming floor with more than 2,500 electronic gaming machines, a resort pool and entertainment rooms suitable for large parties and corporate events.

Wind Creek Wetumpka will also feature a number of dining choices including a grill, a coffee shop, a snack bar, a fine dining restaurant and a buffet.

Like its predecessor, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, the property is expected to be an economic engine in the surrounding area. It is estimated that 1,200 workers will be hired over the course of construction. Currently, Wetumpka’s Creek Casino employs 400 full-time employees with benefits.  Once completed, the new resort will generate another 600 jobs with benefits bringing the total to 1,000 full-time employees.

“This project will provide much needed jobs to tribal members and our neighbors in Wetumpka,” said Poarch Tribal Chairman Buford L. Rolin. “We have seen Wind Creek in Atmore have a very positive ripple effect on the economy, and we look forward to seeing other businesses in the Wetumpka community grow and prosper because of this development.”

This Wind Creek project is located on Highway 231, just 9 miles northeast of Montgomery.  The architect for the project is Hnedak Bobo Group and Flintco Construction is the general contractor.