“We understand there’s an 8-mile backup on I-5. “The hardest part is getting here,’’ Geenty said Monday afternoon. “It looks like Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, in terms of style.’’Ĭamas resident Rich Geenty, a broker with LoanStar Home Lending, was one of those in Cano’s group. He also had a great appreciation for the ilani Casino, which he said “absolutely’’ exceeded his expectations. Photo by Mike SchultzĪfter a few hours inside the casino, Cano said he still had a couple thousand dollars worth of chips in his hand. and observers indicated the casino was at its capacity a short-time later. There was just nowhere to put people.’’ Patrons from all over the region turned out Monday for the grand opening of the ilani Casino in Ridgefield. “They shut down the exit to I-5 and put everybody back on the freeway,’’ said Cano, a Battle Ground resident. It’s been crazy.’’Ĭano said his group has grown to as many as 10, and thanks to their decision to park at the casino site overnight, they didn’t have to deal with the eight-mile backup the ilani opening created on Interstate 5. “We partied all night and when the casino opened at 10 a.m., we went right over for the opening ceremony. “We came yesterday and parked our RV, actually two RVs and a camper,’’ said Cano, owner of Cano Real Estate in Vancouver.

RIDGEFIELD - Nathan Cano and several of his friends executed the perfect plan for experiencing opening day at the ilani Casino.

Ilani casino opening day