‘The Gold Eagle Casino is moving to a new home’: $100M project moves forward with SIGA support in North Battleford

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“What I mean by that is that the existing site of the Gold Eagle Casino has been returned to the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s head, Lean Man First Nation. This is reconciliation. What is ours has been returned,” she said.

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“Mosquito owns that land. However, back in the days, the third party changed that name to Gold Eagle Reserve. And that’s the big announcement today was part of the land back, because in December of 2025, the minister provided a ministerial order to transfer the land back and rename it to the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation Urban Reserve.” 

Stone said the Nation has spent years advancing the development and is now working to finalize financing and partnerships.

The first phase will include a new casino, hotel and convention centre, with about $60 million to be invested by the First Nation. Additional phases are expected to expand the site with commercial and residential development.

While there is no firm construction timeline, the build is expected to take about 36 months once it begins.

“We’re really optimistic. It’s going to happen soon,” Stone said. 

“Our early estimates show that this project will generate more than 350 construction jobs and 400 long-term positions in the hospitality, management, and operations for the first phase.”

The development is projected to attract more than 500,000 visitors annually.

(Image Credit: Creative Fire / submitted)

SIGA president and CEO Zane Hansen said the project comes as the current Gold Eagle Casino marks 30 years of operation.

“It feels like an opportune time as well to be announcing the next chapter, exciting new chapter for Gold Eagle Casino,” Hansen said.

He said the new facility is expected to expand tourism and entertainment in the region.

“It’s going to bring just the whole level of scale and presence and entertainment here to the North Battleford area.”

(Image Credit: Creative Fire / submitted)

(Image Credit: Creative Fire / submitted)

Plans presented Tuesday show a large-scale development on a site along Highway 16 West, including a convention centre with capacity for about 1,000 people.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron said the project reflects long-standing goals of economic independence.

“Our Chief signed the treaty; they had our treaty rights to our likelihood. They had wanted a treaty-based economy. They wanted self-sufficiency. They wanted good things for the people of Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territory. And it’s here.”

SIGA board chair Tammy Cook-Searson said the development is the result of sustained leadership and collaboration.

“What we are witnessing today is the result of years of determination, community vision, and strong First Nation leadership.”

(Image Credit: Creative Fire / submitted)

Stone said work is continuing on financing and planning, while the future of the existing casino site remains to be determined.

“The main thing is, the Gold Eagle Casino is moving to a new home, a new land site,” she said.

The proposed project will be built on a 67-acre property along Highway 16 West, on the site of the former Canadian Motel, which was destroyed by fire last year. The current Gold Eagle Casino is located at 11902 Railway Ave. East.

The land was purchased for $1.93 million plus GST, making it the largest land sale ever recorded by the City of North Battleford. Council approved the deal in August through Strathworkscollab Inc., an intermediary representing the MGBHLM.

North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the city is prepared to work with the First Nation as the development moves forward.

“We recognize that this significant development will involve many important steps and will require collaboration and consultation with the City and our residents, including zoning amendments and the establishment of service agreements,” Hawtin stated.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com