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 The Morongo Band of Mission Indians is a pioneer in Indian gaming, their dream of self-reliance through economic development continues with the design and construction of their new $250 million casino resort hotel in Cabazon, California. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians is a pioneer in Indian gaming,
using it as a means of self-reliance through economic development
as early as 1983. Their dream of realizing this continues with
the design and construction of their new $250 million casino resort
hotel in Cabazon, California, just east of Palm Springs. The tribe’s
goal is to create a world-class luxury resort that would offer
a full range of entertainment options that visitors could enjoy.
This first class casino and resort is slated to generate 4,000
new jobs and $2.8 billion to the economy within five years.
Syska Hennessy Group provided engineering services for the construction
of a 14 mW cogeneration plant serving the casino and hotel. The
plant provides power to the tribe’s 584,000 sq ft facility
that includes a 28-story hotel with a roof-top lounge, casino,
spa and restaurants, and a 1,700-car parking garage. As a result,
the casino operate independently from the local utility that serves
the area.
The cogeneration plant is designed for eight engine-driven generators
of which four operate in cogeneration mode burning natural gas,
and four are diesel backup units. Currently, only three of the
diesel units are installed. The heat recovered is used to heat
the casino or generate chilled water using a 1,100-ton absorption
chiller. In addition, there are two 1,250-ton electric chillers,
two 8,000 mbh hot water boilers, cooling towers and various ancillary
equipment.
The high voltage design includes 12 kV paralleling switchgear.
The four cogeneration generators operate at 12 kV. The three backup
generators operate at 480V, but are individually stepped up to
12 kV. Switchgear, transformers and substations are provided to
supply electricity to the casino and hotel at 12kV, and to supply
plant power at 480V.
A fast-track project, construction was completed on time. The
plant meets the strict air quality requirements for California.
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