The Blue Lake Casino will soon be the site of a new hotel.

The Blue Lake Rancheria held a ground-breaking ceremony outside the casino Friday to mark the kick off of the expansion project.

At four levels, the hotel will contain 104 rooms, including two junior and two deluxe suites, a 1,700 square foot non-smoking casino addition and an outdoor swimming pool.

Blue Lake Rancheria officials said they hope the hotel will become a destination, adding to the The Play Station 777 and entertainment options offered by Blue Lake Casino.

“This is a real important milestone for us,” said Arla Ramsey, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe vice chairperson.

Ramsey said the hotel will provide much-needed rooms during events such as graduations, as well as for tourists, along with the possibility of creating local partnerships.

The hotel will also bring in jobs, she said, and leaves an opportunity for the city to attract smaller businesses into town.

Planning for the project has been in the works for about two years, and incorporated public hearings, Ramsey said.

Attendees at the event expressed support for the expansion.

“I think it’s great,” said Vernie Babcock. “I like to see progress,” she said, adding traveling spaces are always needed.

Construction of the hotel will be managed by Portland-based Wright & Associates Development Co., and will generate around 40 jobs.

The cost of the project has not yet been defined, said Bob Wright, general contractor.

The hotel is expected to be completed by summer of next year.

(Cerena Johnson can be reached at cjohnson@eurekareporter.com, or at 707-269-7440.)