Chukchansis open 18-pump discount fueling station near hotel and casino
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians tribal council members from left, Jennifer Ruiz, Heather Airey and Eugene Lewis along with fellow members cut a ribbon for the Chukchansi Crossing Fuel Station & Travel Center.
Chukchansi Crossing Fuel Station and Travel Center officially opened Wednesday by tribal officials at an event that included a prayer ceremony, a ribbon cutting and guided tours.
The facility, at 32035 State Route 41, had undergone a soft opening for several weeks.
The Travel Center is open 24 hours a day, with 18 fuel pumps dispensing four grades of fuel, including 87, 89 and 91 of unleaded gasoline, and diesel. To best accommodate motor homes, big rigs and trailers, the station has two diesel pumps on the north side of the building as well as two charging outlets for electric vehicles. Visitors can take advantage of a touchless car wash, along with a selection of food and beverages.
The facility also features the Willow Glen Smoke Shop, with a drive-thru window, open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The opening ceremonies offered gratitude for the land that allowed the tribe to build the facility as an investment into the local community, and to serve as a pillar of economic strength for the tribe. A blessing and prayer was led by Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians Council Member Harold Hammond, before the official ribbon-cutting took place, and guided tours were offered for media and guests.
The construction of Chukchansi Crossing began after a ground-breaking ceremony in January 2017, creating more than 200 jobs throughout the building process. And now open, the facility has created 20 full-time employment positions. Not only will Chukchansi Crossing provide competitive gas prices for the local community, it will offer more convenience for Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino guests and its employees. The fuel and travel center will also be of benefit to those traveling to key destinations beyond Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino like Bass Lake and Yosemite National Park.
“Growth is an important thing in our rural communities, and the location of this facility will allow easy access for tourists and locals alike,” said Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler. “I was also happy to hear that a number of local, full-time jobs were created through this venture.”
“We’re excited to introduce Chukchansi Crossing and hope that it becomes a major convenience to our guests and surrounding neighborhood,” said Jennifer Ruiz, Tribal Council chairwoman of Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians. “We are committed to growing our property in a way that provides our customers unique experiences and great value. Simultaneously, we’re proud to reinvest in our community to create employment opportunities and additional benefits to the overall economy.”
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For information about Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, visit www.ChukchansiGold.com or call 1-866-794-6946.
