WILLIAMSBURG - Construction of the new Turtle Creek Casino in this town east of Traverse City has been "a smooth-running process," with the gaming facility and attached hotel set to open in June.

That's according to Andy LaPointe, owner's representative for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. "All the trades have done a super job, and it's been a great working atmosphere under PCL (the general contractor)," LaPointe said.

About 300 Hardhats are currently on site. They're building a 350,000 square-foot facility, which includes an eight-story, 137-room hotel. The space will include 65,000 square-feet of gaming area, as well as several eating areas, bars and a nightclub.

Photos of interior construction were not allowed - Lapointe said the tribe wants to keep the project under wraps until the facility opens.

"It's going to be an atypical facility, unlike any casino in northern Michigan," LaPointe said. "It will look very modern, very eye-catching, with sleek, clean lines. It's going to have a unique lighting and a.v. (audiovisual) system that will really be neat. We're trying to keep it a bit of a surprise, but it's going to be a very cool place."

The $80 million casino resort is going up next to the tribe's existing casino, which continues to operate. The casino was built about a decade ago, but will be demolished and replaced with a parking deck.

Ron Olson, CEO of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos, said in a statement: "Our new casino resort will be unique to the Midwest in its design and business model. We will provide an enjoyable and secure gaming experience that our casinos have become renowned for, while bringing Midwest casino excitement and entertainment to a completely new level. It will be a truly outstanding experience for Northern Michigan residents and an exceptionally attractive vacation destination for guests from other regions."

HERE'S AN EXTERIOR view of the 137-room hotel attached to the Turtle Creek Casino near Traverse City. We can't show you any interior views: the owner won't allow photos.

AN AERIAL VIEW OF the Turtle Creek Casino and hotel in a photo taken last fall. Photos courtesy of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.