At a time of economic uncertainty, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians on Thursday celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Spotlight 29 Casino with a grand reopening of its $52 million renovation.

The project, with $18 million for a four-level parking structure and $34 million pumped into its casino, has more than doubled its play space, adding 150,000 square feet.

It's also added 36 table games, an eight-bay virtual roulette wheel and splashy slots under a cedar pergola that acts as a gateway to a new 23,000-square-foot casino floor area. The overhang also is aligned in such a way patrons say it looks like a dragon.

Pillars were stripped down and recast in stone, creating an airy effect. The poker room was expanded and modernized. A high-limit slot area was carved out, as was a new lounge for platinum members. Flat-screen TVs abound.

For those who enter the casino from the second floor of the parking garage, the overview has created what Twenty-Nine Palms tribal chair Darrell Mike describes as the “wow factor.”

“It was a bold move because of these current economic times,'' Mike said.

“But we decided to go through with the expansion. We couldn't not finish it. It was important to us to create a whole new look.”

New casino management for the venture employing about 650 people has been brought in as well.

“There's a whole new level of service that we're planning to maintain,'' Mike said.

Blessing in disguise

The expansion, which also includes a new administration area, parking structure for 1,200 cars, glass surrounding the Blue bar, expanded cash cage, beverage station and host office, comes at a time many projects have been mothballed.

The Twenty-Nine Palms Band itself pulled back on plans for a high-rise hotel addition to the casino, as well as a smaller casino in the high desert.

Mike called the decision to postpone construction a blessing in disguise, as Indian and Las Vegas casinos across the nation — long thought to be recession resilient — felt the sting of the economic downturn.

Many local casinos, including Twenty- Nine Palms, have had to impose layoffs or leave jobs unfilled to save money.

“When times turn around, we'll take a look at it again,'' Mike said.

The project, though completed in phases, was celebrated Thursday to coincide with the casino's 15th anniversary. A red ribbon was cut, and many dignitaries were on hand to congratulate the tribe and casino management.

Coachella Mayor Eduardo Garcia said the tribe has a long record of accomplishments and solid government-to-government relationships.

 “At a moment of economic downturn, the investment this tribe has made has not only benefited the entire community,'' Garcia said. “It's played a critical role in the recovery of the Coachella Valley.”

Robert Paull, general manager of the casino, said he thinks the expansion will be a hit with all gamers. The expansion hasn't only freshened up the floor, it's helped add variety, Paull said.

Patrons stood in line for celebratory cake and a round of giveaways.

Others gambled, unfazed by the revelry.

“It's really nice,'' said Sharon Pearce, of British Columbia, after cashing out for the day. “It looks like they've got lots of slots.”

One La Quinta patron looked as if he'd struck gold.

As he waited for casino reps to fill out paperwork from his $5,400 win on a high-limit slot coined “Triple Hot Ice,” the patron, who asked not to be named, called Spotlight his favorite casino — now more than ever.