The Nooksack Indian Tribe is tearing down the building that once housed the Nooksack River Casino, which has been closed for nearly a decade.
Locals responded to the news, posted to the tribe’s Facebook page last week, with sadness and reminiscences.
“I was part of the ground breaking ceremony,” one comment read. “God Bless the Nooksack Tribe and all its citizen’s (sic).”
On social media, the tribe added it would announce plans for the property moving forward when they were finalized.
The tribe wrote bystanders could be asked to leave the demolition zone “for safety reasons.” Someone at the property who appeared to be part of the demolition crew objected to Cascadia Daily News taking photos of the site Monday.
The casino in Deming shut down in December 2015 after a legal fight over debt incurred by building renovations, according to a Bellingham Herald article from the time.
“We appreciate all the love and feedback we have received regarding how important this building and business was to our people and community,” the tribe’s Facebook post read. “We understand, as tribal and community members.”
Sophia Gates covers rural Whatcom and Skagit counties. She is a Washington State Murrow Fellow whose work is underwritten by taxpayers and available outside CDN's paywall. Reach her at sophiagates@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 131.
