Yumans soon will be able to enjoy Vegas-style fun and action a short six miles down the road with the grand opening Feb. 13 of the Quechan Casino Resort.

  Construction workers were busy putting finishing touches on the luxury resort Tuesday, while employees were everywhere testing equipment, setting up hotel rooms and polishing everything to a luster.

  Having everything ready for the opening likely is going to be close, said Marty Gross, chief executive officer. But considering how far things have progressed since he came on board Oct. 20, he figures the 2-1/2 weeks remaining is time enough to throw open the doors to the public.

  The 297,000-square-foot resort is poised at the Algodones exit off Interstate 8. The 30,000-square-foot casino offers 1,000 state-of-the-art slot machines with the latest in games, as well as 24 tables featuring blackjack, three-card poker and other games. The 10-table live poker room will deal Texas hold'em, hi-lo, Omaha and five-card stud.

  The five-story hotel has 166 rooms, including eight suites with patio views of the resort-style pool. To keep people fed, watered and entertained, there's the Ironwood Steakhouse, Ocotillo Cafe, Ocotillo Bar and Sidewinders Lounge with a stage and dance floor. A food court will offer Starbucks coffees, pizza, sandwiches, ice cream and other fast foods.

  And to carry out the Quechan Tribe's promise, the resort will be a world-class entertainment center for area residents and visitors alike. The 20,000-square-foot Pipa Event Center will host a variety of big-name entertainers of all genres. It also will provide a venue for trade shows, conventions and smaller special events such as weddings.

  Other amenities include a lazy river for rafting fun, free valet parking, special VIP room, business center, fitness center, gift shop and parking for recreational vehicles.

  "We wanted to offer great food, great value and great entertainment in an environment superior to anything in the area," said David Julian, executive director of marketing.

  In September, when the resort was first unveiled to the public with a media tour, the project was considered 65 percent completed after a ground breaking in June 2007. At that time, the resort was expected be ready to open by late spring.

  However, the decision was made in December to set Feb. 13 for the grand opening, Gross said during a preview tour offered The Sun Tuesday.

  By coordinating the construction and operational sides of the project, it was determined that date was doable, he said. But it has been a challenge, he added.

  From the construction side, the challenge was to get all the materials in on schedule and the work completed. The operational side was faced with getting all the equipment in and installed, hiring and training the staff and making sure everything and everyone would be ready for guests.

  The Feb. 13 date was selected in part because it leads into two special days - Valentine's Day and President's Day - and February is the peak of the region's winter visitor season, Gross said.

  It's been a scramble, he acknowledged, adding that he's been putting in 14- and 16-hour days seven days a week. The thing is, he said, "we all like what we do and we have a lot of experience. We have a lot of Vegas and California ties. That's been helpful in bringing the team together quickly."

  He doesn't expect to rest on his laurels once the resort is open, though. Getting the resort ready is just the first phase of the job, Gross said. The second phase will be the opening, followed by the third phase to make the resort even better.

  While the Paradise Casino on the Arizona side will remain open, the resort will replace the California Paradise Casino, Gross said. That casino will be shut down at 10:59 p.m. Feb. 10 to secure the gaming operation there.

  Quechan tribal members will enjoy their own special celebration at the new building on Feb. 12. The next morning, a ribbon cutting is scheduled for 10 a.m., then the resort will be open to the public.

  The Flying Elvi, a 10-member skydiving team of Elvis impersonators featured in the film "Honeymoon in Vegas," will be dropping in at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 for a special grand opening show.

  The Pipa Event Center is slated to open Feb. 27 with a performance by Kenny Loggins, followed by Jenni Rivera on March 6 and the Beach Boys on March 25. Tickets are expected to go on sale Saturday and will be available at the Paradise Casinos or playqcr.com and at the box office at the resort once it opens.

  For hotel reservations or to book the events center, call 1-877-QUECHAN (783-2426).

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853

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