Kewadin Casinos Set for Major Renovations Across All Five Michigan Locations
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians operates Kewadin Casinos at five sites throughout Michigan, and the organization has now detailed the next stage of a multimillion-dollar, multiyear capital improvement program that will touch every property. Projects are scheduled to begin in summer 2026, with work packages that range from guest-room refreshes to entirely new recreational amenities.
According to the tribe's public statement, the initiative covers room renovations, expanded or upgraded RV parks, new and improved cabin facilities, restaurant and bar enhancements, plus larger builds such as a waterpark adn sports bar at the flagship Sault Ste. Marie location. The phased approach allows each casino to remain open while construction crews move through the properties in sequence.
Scope of Work Across the Five Properties
Every Kewadin site will receive guest-room updates that include new furnishings, lighting, and bathroom fixtures. At the same time, RV parks at multiple locations will gain additional hookups, wider driveways, and improved shower facilities, while cabin clusters will see expanded footprints and modernized interiors designed for longer guest stays. Restaurant and bar areas are slated for layout changes that increase seating capacity and introduce new service stations, all coordinated so that food and beverage operations experience only brief interruptions.
The Sault Ste. Marie property, the largest of the five, will host the most visible additions. A waterpark featuring multiple slides and a zero-depth entry pool is planned adjacent to the existing hotel tower, and a dedicated sports bar with large-format screens and tiered seating will occupy space currently used for meeting rooms. These two elements alone represent the biggest single-site investment within the overall program.
Timeline and Phasing
Work is slated to commence in summer 2026, with site preparation and permitting activities already underway at several locations. The tribe has indicated that June 2026 will mark the start of active construction at the Sault Ste. Marie property, while the remaining four casinos will follow on staggered schedules through 2027 and into 2028. This sequencing keeps at least four properties fully operational at any given time and allows the tribe to apply lessons from early phases to later ones.
Procurement documents show that local contractors and tribal enterprises will handle the bulk of the work, with specialty subcontractors brought in for the waterpark filtration systems and sports-bar audio-visual installations. Material deliveries are timed to avoid peak summer tourism windows, reducing disruption for both guests and staff.
Background on the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe and Kewadin Operations
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has operated gaming facilities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula since the early 1980s, and Kewadin Casinos now comprise five distinct locations serving regional and tourist markets. The properties generate revenue that supports tribal government services, health programs, and education initiatives across Chippewa, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft counties. The current upgrade program builds on earlier investments completed between 2018 and 2023 that focused on slot floor expansions and parking infrastructure.
Observers familiar with tribal gaming note that capital improvement cycles of this length are common among Michigan's twelve federally recognized tribes, each of which must balance gaming revenue with community priorities. The tribe's announcement aligns with similar projects reported by other operators in the state, although the Kewadin program remains the only one scheduled to begin construction during summer 2026.
Regulatory Context
All construction must comply with standards set by the Michigan Gaming Control Board and the National Indian Gaming Commission. Tribal gaming officials have already submitted preliminary plans for the waterpark and sports bar, and environmental reviews for the RV park expansions are in progress. The tribe has stated that final permits are expected by spring 2026, clearing the way for the June start date at Sault Ste. Marie.
Conclusion
The Kewadin Casinos upgrade program represents a coordinated, multi-property investment by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians that will modernize accommodations, recreational facilities, and dining venues at all five Michigan locations. With construction beginning in summer 2026 and the most extensive work occurring at the Sault Ste. Marie site, the initiative is positioned to extend over multiple years while maintaining continuous operations. The projects outlined—room renovations, RV and cabin improvements, restaurant upgrades, and the addition of a waterpark plus sports bar—follow directly from the tribe's public announcement and remain subject to the standard regulatory approvals required for tribal gaming facilities in Michigan.