County leaders react to possible Indian casino

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By KSNW News

KSNW-TV

updated 6:52 p.m. ET Oct. 29, 2009

WICHITA, Kansas - County leaders are reacting to news that a destination Indian casino may be on its way to Sedgwick County. The Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma says it is moving forward with plans to turn 10 acres of land in Park City into a casino.

It's news that has county leaders talking.

"I have a concern about the whole issue," said Commissioner Dave Unruh.

Unruh is reacting to news that an Indian tribe is moving forward with plans to turn 10 acres of land in Park City into a casino.

In 2006, the Wyandotte Nation applied to the federal government to put the land into trust for gaming purposes. That was just a year before Sedgwick County voters said 'no' to gaming.

"The citizens of Sedgwick County voted it down," Unruh said. "As a commissioner, most of us are sympathetic to how our particular district voted, and I think my district was pretty close to 60 percent anti."

It's not the first time the county has raised concern over the plan. In a letter in March of 2008, the county reminded the bureau of Indian affairs that Sedgwick County voted down a state-run casino.

"I wouldn't be doing anything to move that issue forward, but it is simply nothing that we have authority over," Unruh said.

That's because since it is Indian land it's a federal matter, meaning no local government or local vote would be able to stop the Wyandotte casino.

"I think it will ultimately be successful because it has been lawfully and legally accomplished," said Doug Spangler with the Wyandotte Nation.

While the nation feels confident in its plans, it says they'll be good neighbors, helping to revitalize the area of the county.

"There are a lot of people in the north end of my district that would welcome this," said Commissioner Kelly Parks. "It would probably be jobs out there in this area."

"They seem to be certain that it is coming, and I have heard that they're going to try and be good partners with us in our community, so we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out," Unruh said.

Part of the casino plan is tied to Wild West World. Sources say that land will be turned into a golf course and hotels. While some say the casino is years from being a reality, KSN has been told that the owners of Wild West World plan to keep the land vacant until the casino is built.

The big question is if voters knew about the Indian Casino, how would it have affected the 2007 vote on gaming? Casino leaders say it is too hard to tell.
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