Franklin County pitches HAPO Center casino proposal to Yakama Nation

PASCO — Franklin County officials have pitched an exploratory proposal to the Yakama Nation to potentially transform the county-owned HAPO Center in Pasco into a tribal casino, according to a report by the Yakama Nation Review.

Franklin County Administrator Brian R. Dansel presented the idea to the Yakama Tribal Council on Aug. 4, framing the initiative as a collaborative effort on historical ancestral land. The 85,000-square-foot facility, which features an exposition hall, arena, ice pavilion, and RV park, recently came under sole county control after a 30-year operational pact with the city of Pasco expired in May.

The presentation comes amid friction surrounding a separate proposal by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to construct a casino complex in Pasco’s King City area. Both the Yakama Nation and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation oppose the Colville project, contending it encroaches on their traditional territory.

Despite county interest, Dansel emphasized that discussions remain preliminary. In a statement released Friday, Dansel pushed back against social media speculation, clarifying that the county is merely in a fact-finding stage and has received inquiries from multiple entities regarding the property.

“We provided information to them as we believe this is our duty to work in a collaborative fashion, and especially where the location is situated on what was Yakama Territory prior to the Treaty of 1855,” Dansel said. “While we welcome any opportunities to partner with the tribe, we are absolutely nowhere near a decision being made.”

Proposed visual rendering made and presented by Franklin County

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Elkhorn Media Group