Tachi Yokut drummers celerate the groundbreaking of the Tachi Palace entertainment complex, which is set to open in fall 2018. Photo by Bridget Butler-Sullivan

At exactly 12:55 p.m. Thursday, Willie Barrios, general manager of Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, officially declared the groundbreaking of a new entertainment complex had begun.

“We’re ready for more jobs and more people coming here,” Barrios said.

The new development will total 90,000 square feet, and will take about 14 months to complete. Included amenities of the complex will be a bowling alley, movie theatre, billiards room, arcade and bar & grill.

It is intended to be a family centered space, so no gambling of any sort will be included in the area, confirmed Tachi Yokut Tribal Chairman Ruben Barrios.

The new development will employ more than 70 people once it is complete, adding to the 1,200 who already work for Tachi Palace.

Alcohol will be served in the bowling alley, bar, billiards room and theatre. Whereas the casino is only available to those 21 and older, this complex will be open to people of all ages.

FFKR Architects of Utah designed and is heading up the project, which is being built by Arizona-based AR Mays Construction.

“Of all the projects we do, none are we more honored to build than those that really make a difference in the community, just as Tachi Palace will,” said Adam Mays, CEO of AR Mays construction.

FFKR has previously worked on previous expansions of Tachi Palace, including the 2006 debut of its 255-room, seven-story hotel.

In response to the more than 300 people in attendance of the event, as well as the multiple amenities yet to come, Barrios said “We may have to change the name from Tachi Palace to Tachi Resort and Casino.