The Kalispel Tribe of Indians, continuing to add to its property holdings on the West Plains, has bought for future development another 111 acres near its 3-year-old Northern Quest Casino.


The parcel extends south from the casino, located at 100 N. Hayford Road, and includes additional frontage on Hayford as well as some frontage along U.S. 2. Its an L-shaped piece of land that wraps around an implement dealership and a used-car lot located near the U.S. 2-Hayford Road intersection.


The tribe bought the property from the John C. Oxley Living Trust, Patrick and Kathleen Dix, and Peter and Elizabeth Dix for more than $1.8 million, according to a real estate excise tax affidavit filed with Spokane County.


Curt Holmes, the tribes public and governmental affairs director, says the tribe hasnt decided yet how it will use the land.


Thats still in the air, he says. We have been going through a master-planning process. In general, we have been talking about having other amenities out there, other than gaming, something that would be good not only for the tribe (but also) the communities out there.


The Kalispels Web site says the tribe plans to develop some of its acreage in Airway Heights into the Kalispel Commerce Park, which would accommodate both Indian-owned and non-Indian business ventures.


However, Holmes says, Thats just one idea thats being kicked around as far as the overall master plan.


With the purchase, the tribe now owns nearly 300 acres on the West Plains. It acquired 40 acreson which the casino is locatedin 1996, and bought another 140 acres just west of the casino last year.


It said then that it also plans to use that land for unspecified future development.


The tribe built a $6.9 million, 36,600-square-foot addition onto the 55,000-square-foot casino last year. It says the casino employs about 550 people and has a payroll of $1 million a month.