Wilton Rancheria breaks ground on Sky River Casino hotel. ‘Reclaiming what is ours’
Sky River Casino broke ground Monday on a new 300-room hotel, the latest expansion of Wilton Rancheria’s entertainment hub in Elk Grove.
The new hotel and resort will feature a salon and spa, a 30,000-square-foot event and entertainment space, a pool and a botanical atrium, according to Sky River Casino President Michael Facenda. It will also include more dining, including a restaurant, coffee shop and bar.
The hotel is expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028 and bring an estimated 300 to 400 jobs, Facenda said.
Tribal leaders said the groundbreaking marked more than a construction milestone. Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango said the ceremony recognized the tribe’s historic ties to the land where the project will be built.
After decades of broken promises from federal and state governments for basic services, the resort represents a step toward economic self-sufficiency for the tribe, Tarango said.
“Wilton made the decision that we would build those systems for ourselves,” Tarango said. “We would do it in a way that not only provides for our people, but strengthens the entire region around us.”
About an hour after the ceremony, a hot air balloon that had been tethered near the ceremony site broke loose in strong winds, striking the casino and a power line before landing in a nearby field, according to Elk Grove police. The pilot was not injured.
What is Wilton Rancheria?
Wilton Rancheria, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County, includes more than 1,600 citizens of Nisenan and Miwok heritage, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting. Tarango described the hotel as an investment in tribal citizens and a way to give back to Elk Grove and the broader Sacramento region.
The tribe opened Sky River Casino in 2022, in partnership with Boyd Gaming Corp. It unveiled an expanded gaming floor and a new 1,600 space parking garage earlier this year.
The casino features 120,000 square feet of gaming, including 2,500 slot machines and 81 table games, along with 18 restaurants and bars.
The hotel project follows broader economic contributions by the tribe, including donations to local fire departments and nonprofits, part-ownership of Sacramento Republic FC and sponsorships of Sacramento State athletics and Wileety Native American College.
Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said the groundbreaking was “a day of great pride” for both the city and Wilton Rancheria. She said the partnership between the city and the tribe has been key to their shared success.
“This means a lot to their tribal nation,” Singh-Allen said. “Their success is everyone’s success.”
Both Singh-Allen and Tarango praised the flying of the Wilton Rancheria flag at Elk Grove City Hall year-round as a sign of the strong partnership between the two groups.
“That wouldn’t happen if we didn’t have relationships like with the government,” Tarango said. “It’s a great relationship, and we look forward to making it bigger.”
‘Reclaiming what is ours’
Wilton Rancheria is a tribe that bounced back after losing federal recognition under the California Rancheria Termination Acts of 1959, which stripped tribes of sovereignty and resources, according to previous Bee reporting.
The tribe was also among those affected by the genocide of Indigenous people in California during the Gold Rush, said Assemblymember James Ramos, D-Highland, who is Serrano and Cahuilla.
Ramos said the project reflects the tribe’s resilience and long path to recovery.
“Wilton, included, suffered great atrocities during those times,” Ramos said. “So to be able to be here today to celebrate with them, it isn’t just an opening at a casino, it’s about righting the wrongs of the past of the state of California.”
Wilton Rancheria regained federal recognition in 2009 after years of advocacy by tribal leaders.
Tarango said the hotel and resort are part of a broader effort to rebuild the tribe’s sovereignty and economic base.
“We are a people reclaiming what is ours,” Tarango said. “We are building, and we are building something that will provide, sustain and uplift the entire region for generations to come.”
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 2:04 PM.
