UPDATED - Hundreds of people flocked Tuesday to the construction site of Quechan Casino Resort in hopes of hitting an early jackpot by landing a much-coveted job in today's rough economy.

Up for grabs are about 1,000 jobs at the Quechan Casino Resort, which is slated to open in February 2009. Those jobs range from entry-level positions like housekeeping all the way to top executive spots in departments ranging from marketing to gaming.

More than one hopeful applicant liked the prospect of a solid job to Christmas truly coming early for them.

"A job right around the Christmas holiday? This has to be some kind of miracle," said Don Clark, a job applicant hoping for a spot in the security department. "I'm just staying optimistic."

It was standing room only at the resort's employment center, which opened Tuesday and was quickly inundated with a steady stream of job seekers. Officials with the resort said they were certainly pleased to see such an "above average" number of people wanting to work.

"I'm very impressed. We're thrilled to have the kind of response we have right now," said David Julian, executive director of marketing for Quechan Casino Resort and Paradise Casinos. "We think this rush will continue on through the course of the day, through the course of the week. By the end of the day we will have gone through hundreds and hundreds of people."

Julian said that the current economic crisis is certainly driving many applicants to the rare opportunity for such a large number of opened jobs, but they pointed to overall excitement for the project as another powerful driving force.

"But even more than the economy, this is a great opportunity for this area. There's an opportunity here, not just for a job, but for a career. This facility, there is no other facility like it probably for a 150-mile radius," the casino official said. "Certainly the Quechan Tribe is very happy to offer these opportunities."

The employment center for the Quechan Casino Resort is located directly on the construction site. To get there take the Algodones Exit off Interstate 8, turn south and follow the signs.

The center will remain open until the resort is open in early 2009. The center is open from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Clark, the job applicant, said the prospect of getting hired by the resort amounted to the chance for a new life.

"Oh, it's been rough in this economic," he said. "I have applications all over the place, but there's very few people hiring."

He said that he's currently employed full time, but needs to earn more money in a career offering some kind of future.

"I just want to find something a little bit better, maybe something where I can get my foot in the door and see a career develop from it," Clark said. "I'm tired of working for jobs and just want a career that I can work in for 20 years and one day look back and say 'I like what I did.'"

Another job applicant waiting in the long lines Tuesday was Lupe Luera, a husband and father of three who said a good job would truly be a life line for his family.

"It's not good. It's just been really hard trying to find a job," Luera said. "Employers just aren't hiring a lot of people right now. It's hard, but we're getting by because my wife is working. This is a relief that there are openings and jobs available."


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Darin Fenger can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.