$100 Million “Next Level” Expansion Underway at Wildhorse Resort & Casino
One of eastern Oregon’s largest private construction projects in recent decades is rising fast outside Pendleton — and it’s already generating buzz well beyond the region.
Wildhorse Resort & Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is in the midst of a major expansion worth over $100 million, set for completion in 2027. The project, branded internally as the “Next Level” expansion, is now well into active construction and on schedule. NBC Right Now
The ambitious project involves replacing the historic 28-year-old Courtyard Hotel with a new 10-story tower featuring 214 rooms, including standard, luxury, and executive suites. The expansion will double the resort’s lodging capacity to over 400 keys and triple its event space to better accommodate larger gatherings. AppleValleyNewsNow.com
Additional highlights include a 15,000-square-foot convention center and a new resort-style restaurant. NBC Right Now
A construction milestone was marked in March. On March 25, a topping-off ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the entire steel framework, with the last beam signed by invited guests before being hoisted into place at the top of the hotel structure. WinStar
Regional Reach
The $100 million project represents one of the larger private developments in the Pendleton area in recent decades. When completed in 2027, the property will combine increased hotel capacity, convention facilities, and food-and-beverage operations to serve both gaming patrons and group event clients across eastern Oregon. Yogonet
CEO Gary George emphasized the breadth of regional support the project has drawn. “We’re really excited about what we’ve been able to do with the property here in eastern Oregon and Pendleton,” George said. “It’s not a typical site where you would see a big casino like this being developed or constructed. But we’ve gotten great support from the whole region, including Tri-Cities and Walla Walla.” Yogonet
The expansion aims to draw visitors from across the Pacific Northwest, including neighboring Washington and Idaho. Gaming America
Demand Already Building
The market is responding before the doors even open. Resort officials report they are already receiving inquiries about future conventions and larger group bookings, with the 2026 Pacific Northwest Endurance Rides convention already confirmed. AppleValleyNewsNow.com
The new convention center will support events of up to 1,500 guests — a capacity that positions Wildhorse to compete for regional corporate events, large weddings, and trade gatherings that currently have few comparable venues in eastern Oregon. Yogonet
What It Means for Contractors
For Oregon contractors, the project signals continued tribal investment in large-scale hospitality construction — a sector that often generates substantial subcontracting opportunity across trades including concrete, steel, mechanical, electrical, and finish work. With construction continuing through 2026 and into 2027, the project remains an active part of the eastern Oregon construction pipeline.
