Northern Lights Casino Begins Phase 2 After Reopening Expanded Gaming Floor

PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan – Northern Lights Casino has completed the first phase of its expansion and is moving ahead with additional gaming-floor renovations.

The latest stage follows the reopening of the casino’s renovated gaming floor, expanded smoking room and main entrance over the weekend.

Acting General Manager Denzel Smith said the property held a soft opening to mark the completion of Phase 1. Casino operations have largely continued throughout construction, with no employees laid off because of the project.

Smoking Room Expands to 275 Gaming Machines

One of the largest changes completed during the first phase is an expanded smoking room. The previous space was demolished internally and replaced with a larger area containing 275 gaming machines, up from 223 before the renovation.

The new room also includes an upgraded air-handling system intended to improve ventilation. It reopened Friday, one day after the renovated gaming floor and main entrance reopened to customers.

The work forms part of a 31,000-square-foot expansion announced by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority in August 2024. The project is increasing the casino’s gaming space while making broader changes to its interior, entrance and food and beverage areas.

SIGA said when the project was announced that Northern Lights had outgrown its existing operating footprint. The expansion is expected to increase the property from approximately 40,000 square feet to about 73,000 square feet when completed.

Phase 2 Adds Gaming Space and New Bar and Deli

Construction is now shifting to areas previously occupied by the old smoking room and live games. Smith said the current smoking area will eventually be expanded again, while another section of the gaming floor will receive a new combined bar and deli.

Additional interior renovations are also planned as the project progresses. SIGA’s expansion plan divides the work into three phases, with later construction covering additional food and beverage facilities, staff areas and back-office space.

The project was announced on Aug. 28, 2024, before construction began that October. Northern Lights has remained open during the work, apart from limited interruptions when major construction activity required temporary changes to normal operations.

No updated completion date for Phase 2 has been announced, and casino officials have not said when the third and final stage will begin. The original expansion plan anticipated approximately two years of construction.

Expansion Updates Long-Running Prince Albert Casino

Northern Lights Casino opened in Prince Albert in March 1996 and is operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. The property is located on Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation land and is one of seven casinos operated by SIGA in the province.

Before the current project, the casino’s previous major renovation took place in 2011. The ongoing expansion represents a larger change to the property, including increased gaming capacity, redesigned customer areas and additional food and beverage space.

The Canadian Impact Assessment Registry says the completed facility is expected to total about 73,000 square feet. Indigenous Services Canada determined in April that the expansion and renovation are not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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