The Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa marked groundbreaking on its Phase IV expansion on Friday, March 16, with a ceremony at the site.

From l., Aaron Thomas, Director of Marketing; with shovels, are Harlan Oppenheim, general manager and COO; Cliff Cultee, chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council; Fran James, tribal elder; and Bill James, chief of the Lummi people. Singing and drumming by family of Swa-las.

The expansion encompasses a 10,000-square-foot event center and a 150-seat tiered seminar theater. The expansion will make Silver Reef’s convention and function space the largest in Whatcom County.

Photo by Louise Mugar.