Casino-Hotel building new gift shop and restaurant

One of the largest employers in the parish is set to expand their operations after announcing Thursday that Cypress Bayou Casino and Hotel is set to unveil $20 million in new enhancements to the facility.
Dozens of people were on hand for the press conference last week to announce the opening of a new restaurant and gift shop at the casino and hotel. Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana Chairman O’Neil Darden and hotel CEO and General Manager Anthony Patrone were joined at the podium by St. Mary Parish President-elect David Hanagriff who spoke to the importance of the facility to the local economy.
“The Cypress Bayou Casino has been great for this area and this community,” Hanagriff said. “Not only do they create jobs, they also contribute a lot of charity within the community. Not only do they do this because it makes good business sense, they do it because they are a part of the community. Now, they are set to expand which we think is desperately needed to succeed in this market and I look forward to working with them. A strong Cypress Bayou Casino means a strong Chitimacha Nation which means a strong St. Mary Parish.”
Darden said the casino is a major economic driver in the area and has come much further than some thought possible when the facility was opened over two decades ago.
“In about two weeks, Cypress Bayou will be celebrating 22 years in business,” Darden said. “Early on, a lot of naysayers said this wouldn’t last five years and wouldn’t grow. But with a lot of hard work and vision and dedication, we’ve been able to grow into what we are today and continue to grow in the future. We are really excited about this project and we think it is an opportunity to reach out and attract new customers.”
Darden also spoke about the critical role the facility plays in the Chitimacha community and how the casino and hotel provide for the tribe.
“The casino operation is vital to the tribe,” Darden said. “The revenues that this generates provides health care, education as well as police and fire protection for our citizens. We are really proud of that. We hope that people will really appreciate this project.”
Patrone was the last to speak to the standing-room-only crowd before leading the audience on a tour of the new amenities. Patrone said, in addition to the new restaurants and gift shop already established, the project will continue to make improvements throughout 2016.
“The Chitimacha Tribe and Cypress Bayou Casino and Hotel are proud to officially announce this $20 million project,” Patrone said. “As the Chitimacha Tribe has for the thousands of years they have occupied these lands, the leadership continues to take the necessary steps for economic growth for the local community and they should be congratulated for their vision.”