Nov. 18--Cherokee Nation Enterprises announced Friday the Tribe has reached an agreement with Hard Rock Hotel Holdings, LLC to brand the Catoosa casino and hotel expansion as the latest in the Hard Rock Chain. The tribe will retain ownership and management of all facilities.

Catoosa Mayor Rita Lamkin is said she is pleased that Hard Rock is coming to Catoosa. The casino complex is expanding to the tune of $155 million and 500 new jobs once the facility opens. The tourist draw of the Hard Rock name is another bonus.

But the resort expansion to carry the world famous Hard Rock brand and style will not bear the name of the city where it resides.

Hard Rock Hotel Tulsa and Hard Rock Casino Tulsa will be unique establishments with an Oklahoma twist, said Cherokee Nation Enterprises CEO David Stewart. The resort will include the decor, memorabilia, and merchandise that have made the Hard Rock brand world famous. The focus will be rockin' country straight from Oklahoma's rich history of musical artists.

Despite the discrepancy in the name, Lamkin is pleased.

"Catoosa welcomes the Hard Rock," said Lamkin. "I'm still hopeful they will change their minds about the name before the name goes up."

Lamkin thinks the Native American inspired name of Catoosa, which means "on the hill" fits with the culturally unique Hard Rock facility to be located here.

"We're still going to have a rich heritage focus in certain areas of the hotel," said Stewart. "We remain committed to our history and our culture."

Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation said ownership and management will not change. "This is a marketing mechanism to share the Cherokee hospitality," said Smith. "The Cherokee Nation retains full ownership and management."

Prior to the Hard Rock brand agreement, CNE had boasted of the original Native American Artwork planned for the facility's decor. That won't go by the wayside.

"Certain areas of the casino will focus on original Native American artwork, and certain areas will turn into the Hard Rock experience," said Stewart. "It will bring entertainment to the next level. We'll continue to have a great experience for our guests."

The top floor of the hotel tower will house the steak house restaurant, the floor below that a dedicated reception area for parties and weddings, and the third floor from the top will house Hard Rock suites.

The casino expansion has meant jobs and growth for Catoosa, Rogers County, and the surrounding area. Approximately 500 construction workers are on site on any given day, said Don Summers of Flintco, Inc.

Flintco is the project coordinator for the Catoosa casino expansion.

The Hard Rock brand will mean more focus on entertainment, lots of memorabilia, and an atmosphere that Stewart says CNE hopes will encourage people to stay in their backyard, spending vacation dollars in Oklahoma, and saving the expense of travel.

Stewart said the new Hard Rock locale will be "uniquely Oklahoma," a potential attraction for outside tourists as well.

Hard Rock is an international brand with large drawing power and the Cherokee want to capitalize on that draw.

The brand agreement with Hard Rock Hotel Holdings, LLC must be approved by the National Gaming Commission before logos are issued. Stewart said gaining that approval is a process that takes months.

Branded merchandize will not be issued prior to that time.

Unless something changes, that Hard Rock name will read Tulsa, not Catoosa.

Catoosans might be disappointed with the name, but the continued growth of the city is positive. Lamkin is optimistic about the continued economy of her city.

"I've stated since I became mayor that our economy here is good, it's growing, it hasn't been affected yet by the poor economy of the nation," said Lamkin. "This is due to the tourism and the new business coming into town. We still have a growing economy."

The mayor said she believes the Hard Rock name is another feather in Catoosa's cap -- even without the Catoosa name.

"It's going to bring more tourists to the area. However, we will not realize sales tax revenue or the hotel/motel tax from those shops and resturants on Trust property."

Lamkin would like for the Hard Rock Hotel to bear Catoosa's name.

"I recognize from a marketing standpoint, Tulsa's better known than Catoosa, but they are in the city of Catoosa and the county of Rogers, as is the rest of the property," said Lamkin.

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