Another casino? It appears so
Far be it from mere mortals to understand the intricacies of the tribal casino business. On one hand, we learned this week that Nambe Pueblo has shuttered its 1,700-square-foot casino at its Nambe Falls Travel Center, opened in February of 2016. The market, it seems, had become oversaturated with casinos.
Or is it? A few days later, the big news broke that Tesuque Pueblo will build a casino next door to The Santa Fe Opera. Few details are available, but groundbreaking is scheduled for next month, with the casino opening planned for the fall of 2018. How can a market where casinos are failing absorb another gambling den?
We’ll find out, evidently. Like other tribes, Tesuque Pueblo has the freedom to build any business allowed by law on its land. Pueblo leaders, we trust, will work with their counterparts at the opera to ensure lights don’t interfere with performances and that construction noise doesn’t drown out rehearsals. Many questions have to be answered. Will traffic noise from gamblers going to and from the casino at night spill over and disturb opera performances? Can the casino be built while preserving views around the opera? The Santa Fe Opera is a treasure and deserves consideration, just as Tesuque Pueblo merits respect as it seeks to improve its economy.
As the lesson from Nambe Pueblo teaches, the Santa Fe region might have enough — even too many — casinos. The original Tesuque Pueblo operation, Camel Rock Casino, open for more than 20 years just off U.S. 84/285, some 5 miles from the opera, likely will be shutting down. And that raises other questions.
Tesuque Pueblo officials should discuss with the public what will happen to the building. Will it be torn down? Used for another business? Let’s hope it doesn’t sit there empty, disintegrating, its ugly asphalt parking lot in plain sight. That highway corridor, despite its natural beauty, already is dotted with dilapidated structures. Another one is not needed.
Eventually, the tribe wants to add a hotel with resort amenities to the casino. Such a property can be developed beautifully, perhaps providing housing to opera-goers and employees. Those attending the opera might linger after (so long as it is a high-end casino) stopping to gamble or eat before going home. Packages combining pre- or post-opera dinners could be a possibility. The new casino could be a positive development, handled correctly, not to mention the construction and gaming jobs it will bring.
The first step toward a better process, however, would be improving communication about what will happen and when. Have a community meeting to answer questions. Share information. Just because a tribe does not have to be open with outsiders is no reason for it to remain secretive. Not when its plans will have impact beyond its borders.
A casino next to The Santa Fe Opera is a big development — for the tribe, the opera and the entire region. It should be treated as such — with discussion, consultation and concern for neighbors. Such conversations might not be required by law, but reaching out to neighbors is the right thing to do.