If you live in Lewis Estates, Rosenthal, Glastonbury, The Hamptons, Edgemont—or you drive past the River Cree on your way around the Henday—you’ve probably noticed the cranes and wondered:
“What exactly are they building out there… and what does it mean for my community?”
Let’s dig in with a bit of history, what’s coming in this $200-million expansion, where construction sits right now, the big-name acts already on the calendar, and the ripple effects for the west-end communities around it.
About the author: Mike Pabian has spent his life living, working and playing in Edmonton and has called The Hamptons home since 2010 with his wife, Grace, and their pugs Frank and Pickles. In 2023 he completed the online non-credit course Indigenous Canada as offered by the University of Alberta. The details in this post are based on public updates and news releases published between September 2024 and March 2025, plus River Cree’s own events calendar as of November 2025. Images used are public domain except where otherwise noted.(Global News)
A quick history of River Cree Resort & Casino
River Cree Resort & Casino opened in October 2006 on Enoch Cree Nation, just west of Edmonton, as one of the first full-scale casino-resort projects of its kind on First Nation land in Alberta. The land has a rich history, and was once used as a bombing range in WWII, a fact that resulted in a $91M settlement in 2020. (ammsa.com)
When it launched, Enoch Cree Nation partnered with Las Vegas–based Paragon Gaming and operated the on-site hotel under the Marriott flag.(Global News) The vision was clear from the start: a destination-style resort with a casino, hotel, twin hockey rinks, restaurants, and an entertainment centre that could pull in acts that might otherwise skip Edmonton.
Fast-forward to 2014, and Enoch Cree Nation bought out Paragon’s interest, taking full ownership of River Cree. That move required a major financing effort—including a landmark bond issue—but it also meant something important:
River Cree became a wholly Enoch-owned asset, widely described as one of the most significant First Nation economic development projects in the country.(Global News)
Since then, Enoch has layered in additional projects—medical offices, commercial plazas, and now a private surgical clinic—using River Cree’s success as a foundation for broader economic growth on the Nation’s land.(Global News)
River Cree today: entertainment hub on Enoch Cree Nation
Even before the new tower goes up, River Cree is already a busy mix of:
24-hour casino gaming (slots, tables, poker)(River Cree Resort & Casino)
On-site dining options from casual to upscale
Twin ice rinks that host tournaments, practices, and events
A dedicated entertainment centre that consistently brings in tribute acts, classic rock bands, comedians, and specialty shows
As of late 2025, the events calendar includes:
International U2 Tribute – Desire – November 14, 2025
April Wine – November 15, 2025
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland – December 2, 2025
The Debaters Live – December 3, 2025(River Cree Resort & Casino)
Third-party ticket platforms also highlight upcoming River Cree dates like Hellbourne – Ozzy Osbourne Tribute and The Tenors – Joy to the World Tour in December 2025, reflecting the range of music and comedy they’re booking into the venue.(www.livenation.de)
For west-end residents, that means you’ve got a full-blown concert and event space 10–15 minutes from home instead of a long haul across the city, and a 7 000 seat facility is being built as part of the long term expansion plans.
Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen: a headline addition for early 2026
On the food side, the highest-profile near-term addition is Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen—Canada’s first location of the brand—slated to open at River Cree in early 2026.(River Cree Resort & Casino)
According to the resort’s announcement:
Hell’s Kitchen will bring Ramsay’s signature dishes and theatrical open-kitchen vibe to Enoch Cree Nation.
It’s being built out in a dedicated restaurant space on site.
Reservations aren’t open yet, but River Cree has flagged “early 2026” as the target for the grand opening, with updates promised via their website and social channels.(River Cree Resort & Casino)
For nearby communities like Lewis Estates, Rosenthal, The Hamptons, and Edgemont, that’s a celebrity-chef experience essentially in your backyard—something you’d normally have to travel to Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, or a major U.S. city to find.
The $200-million expansion: what’s actually being built?
Here’s where things get big.
In September 2024, Enoch Cree Nation and River Cree publicly launched a $200-million expansion that will see the resort nearly double in size.(Global News)
From the Global News, Hotelier Magazine, and Alberta Major Projects descriptions, the core pieces look like this:
1. A new 18-storey hotel tower
Over 230 additional rooms (some sources say 230, others reference ~240) in a new high-rise tower.(Global News)
More than 30 luxury suites with upgraded finishes.(Global News)
Bathrooms designed with both walk-in showers and separate bathtubs—a detail the River Cree CEO has highlighted as something that’s still rare in Edmonton hotels.(Global News)
2. Major pool and recreation upgrades
A new pool area with two waterslides.
A large hot tub and family-friendly aquatic features.(Global News)
This moves River Cree further into “full resort” territory—especially attractive for minor hockey tournaments, concert weekends, and stay-and-play casino guests.
3. 40,000+ sq. ft. of new event and conference space
More than 40,000 square feet of new event space across two levels.(Global News)
A flagship ballroom around 18,000 sq. ft., reportedly ~8,000 sq. ft. larger than the largest existing ballroom in Edmonton today located in the JW Marriott in Ice District.(Global News)
An additional outdoor patio of about 9,000 sq. ft., designed to support events that spill outside in the summer months.(Global News)
This is a big deal for conferences, banquets, weddings, and corporate events that currently might default to downtown hotels or resort destinations outside the city.
4. Expanded food & beverage and back-of-house capacity
A brand-new banquet kitchen to serve the expanded event footprint.
A new full-service restaurant and bar, plus additional quick-service food outlets (details still being finalized in public reporting).(Global News)
In short: more hotel capacity, bigger events, elevated dining, and family-friendly amenities—stacked onto an already busy casino and entertainment operation.
Where the project is at: construction and timelines
From a timing standpoint:
A formal groundbreaking ceremony took place in early September 2024, marking the official start of hotel expansion work.(Global News)
The publicly stated target for the new hotel tower’s opening is spring 2027.(Hotelier Magazine)
Canada Infrastructure Bank announced in March 2025 that it would provide $100 million in financing for “reserve enabling infrastructure”—roads, water, wastewater and other services—to support River Cree’s continued development and expansion, alongside $194 million in financing from the First Nations Finance Authority.(cib-bic.ca)
That federal infrastructure backing is a strong signal that:
Construction is underway and progressing beyond ceremonial ground-breaking into real, long-term build-out; and
The expansion is being treated as a key economic engine, not just for Enoch but for the wider region.
The project also appears in Alberta’s Major Projects database, which lists an 18-storey hotel addition with roughly 240 rooms as the core built element.(Alberta Major Projects) And at the federal level, there’s a dedicated entry for the River Cree expansion in the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (Project 88984), overseen by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada—part of the framework that reviews major projects for environmental and community impacts.(Canada)
All of that points to a project that’s funded, permitted, and actively moving through its construction life cycle, even if we don’t yet have a room-by-room progress chart in the public domain.
How this expansion ripples into nearby communities
So what does all of this mean if you live in Lewis Estates, Rosenthal, Enoch, Glastonbury, The Hamptons or Edgemont? Let’s break it down in practical terms.
1. Jobs and income close to home
The expansion is expected to create:
Construction jobs over several years
Ongoing hotel, food & beverage, events, and casino roles once the tower opens
Indirect jobs with suppliers, contractors, and service providers in the region(CFWE Northern Alberta)
For Enoch members, River Cree is already a major employer. For west-end Edmonton residents, it’s one more large, stable workplace within a short commute—especially appealing for hospitality workers, trades, event planners, security staff, and more.
When CTV covered the ground-breaking, leadership spoke openly about River Cree aiming to be an “economic powerhouse” for the Nation and the surrounding region—not just a standalone casino.(CTV News)
2. Stronger local business ecosystem
More hotel rooms, bigger conferences, and marquee shows don’t just benefit the resort—they spill over into neighbouring communities:
Visitors may fill up at the gas stations and coffee shops in Lewis Estates and Rosenthal before heading out of town.
Families coming for tournaments or pool-and-show weekends might explore nearby restaurants, services, and grocery stores in Glastonbury and The Hamptons.
Local trades and service companies based in west Edmonton may pick up contracts for maintenance, landscaping, cleaning, and specialty services as the complex grows.
Combined with other Enoch commercial developments—like medical and retail projects along the same corridor—River Cree’s expansion helps solidify the west end as a regional employment and services hub, not just “suburbs by the Henday.”(Global News)
3. Tourism profile and “destination west” effect
With:
A larger hotel footprint
A bigger event and convention centre
Canada’s first Hell’s Kitchen
A steady stream of concerts and shows
…the west side of Edmonton starts to look more and more like a destination cluster, especially when you factor in nearby anchors like West Edmonton Mall and the west-end retail corridors.
For homeowners in places like Edgemont, Rosenthal, Lewis Estates, and The Hamptons, that growing profile can translate into:
More out-of-town visitors choosing to stay in the west end
A higher demand for short-term rentals (with all the pros and cons that come with that)
More interest from buyers who specifically want easy access to resort-style amenities and entertainment without leaving their part of the city
From a real estate perspective, it’s another check mark in the “lifestyle and amenities” column when we’re talking about west-end neighbourhoods with buyers.
4. Infrastructure and traffic considerations
Big projects require big infrastructure:
The Canada Infrastructure Bank loan is specifically for “reserve enabling infrastructure”—things like roads and utilities that make development on Enoch’s land possible at a larger scale.(cib-bic.ca)
As those upgrades roll out, they’re likely to tie into or affect major connections like Whitemud Drive, Winterburn Road, and the ring road, which many west-enders already use daily.
Short-term, that can mean more construction and some traffic headaches near the resort.
Longer-term, better-planned access roads, upgraded servicing, and clearer traffic patterns can actually improve movement in and out of the west end, especially for event days where hundreds or thousands of people are converging on a single site.
5. Neighbourhood brand and long-term value
Neighbourhoods like Lewis Estates, Rosenthal, Glastonbury, The Hamptons and Edgemont already sell well based on:
Newer housing stock
Proximity to the Henday
Access to parks, paths, and west-end retail
Additional schools
A robust recreation offering when the completion of the Lewis Farms LRT expansion and recreation centre are completed in 2028
“This isn’t just a bedroom community; it’s part of a growing regional destination anchored by Enoch Cree Nation’s economic engine.” That doesn’t mean every home suddenly jumps in value overnight. But over time, strong and diversified local economic activity is one of the pillars that helps support demand and resiliency in nearby housing markets.
What to watch as a local homeowner or buyer
If you live—or want to live—in the west end, here are a few things worth keeping an eye on as the River Cree expansion progresses:
Construction milestones and timelines
Has the tower “topped out”?
Are there public updates on the 2027 opening target?
New events and conferences
Watch River Cree’s events calendar to see the size and type of conferences booking in. More large national or regional events often means more visibility (and spending) in the area.(River Cree Resort & Casino)
Transportation and access changes
Any upgrades to intersections, road widening, or new routing around Whitemud / Winterburn / the Henday that could improve—or complicate—your commute.
Local business openings
Pay attention to new retail, restaurant, and service businesses popping up in Lewis Estates, Rosenthal, Glastonbury, or along key corridors; they’re often following the same growth story.
Policy and planning updates
Both the City of Edmonton and Enoch Cree Nation will continue to make land-use and infrastructure decisions in this corridor. If you’re thinking long-term (5–10+ years), those plans matter.
FAQ: River Cree Expansion & the West End
Q: When will the new River Cree hotel tower open?
A: Public statements from River Cree and industry publications point to a spring 2027 opening for the new 18-storey tower, with construction underway as of 2024-2025.(Hotelier Magazine)
Q: Is Hell’s Kitchen part of the expansion or a separate project?
A: Hell’s Kitchen is a dedicated restaurant project within the existing River Cree footprint, but it’s very much part of the resort’s broader “step up the experience” strategy. The resort has confirmed it as Canada’s first Hell’s Kitchen, targeting an early 2026 opening.(River Cree Resort & Casino)
Q: Will this make traffic worse in Lewis Estates, Rosenthal, or The Hamptons?
A: In the short term, large builds almost always mean more construction traffic. Over the longer term, the Canada Infrastructure Bank financing is specifically meant to support improved infrastructure on and around Enoch’s lands, which can help manage event traffic more effectively than if nothing were upgraded at all.(cib-bic.ca)
Q: Does a bigger resort automatically mean higher home prices nearby?
A: Not automatically, and certainly not overnight. But strong, diversified local employers and destination amenities tend to be supportive of long-term neighbourhood demand, especially when they’re paired with good schools, parks, and transportation. River Cree’s growth is one more positive factor in that broader mix.
If you’re curious how this all plays into your specific situation reach out at 780-232-2064 or mike@pabianrealty.ca. I’mhappy to dig into the numbers with you and talk about:
How buyers are perceiving the west end today
What this might mean for resale timing and strategy
And whether now, mid-construction, is actually a smart window to make a move
