Proposal for new casino in Y-S area

The proposal for a new Indian gaming casino to be built in the Yuba-Sutter Area is a new hot-button issue in Yuba County. There have been many developments in the past few months since the casino was first proposed.

Everything started in 1998 when Yuba County voters approved Measure R, which was supposed to allow a race track to be built between Highways 65 and 70, next to the Autowest Amphitheater. The race track would host all sorts of racing events, such as NASCAR, and bring several jobs to the Yuba-Sutter area.

Marysville resident Nola Snow said, “I prefer a race track, because a race track would also bring out-of-towners to this area, increasing business in Marysville and Yuba City.” Promoters of the Motorplex of Yuba County have recently been trying to lease the land.

One of the proposed buyers is Enterprise Rancheria, an Oroville based tribe of about 500 members. The tribe would like to build a $90 million hotel-casino on around 40 acres of land near Forty Mile Road. The proposed hotel-casino would be around 152,000 square feet and 170 rooms, a proposal that has created an uproar from local residents and politicians.

The original Measure R allows 900 acres around Forty Mile Road to be used as a sports and entertainment zone. The people of Yuba County voted on Measure R, thinking that they would be getting a race track, and now they may instead receive a casino. This has some people in the community upset.

The Yuba County Board of Education has recently been fighting gambling in the Yuba-Sutter area. On Wednesday, September 11, the board approved an antigambling resolution with a 6-0 vote.

One of the Trustees on the Board of Education, Donna Landerman, said, “I think the only ‘win-win’ is for the gambling institution. It’s not a ‘win-win’ for the community.” Trustee Lou Binninger added, “This is bad for the county. I certainly think gambling is a bad thing for our community.”