SYCUAN INDIAN RESERVATION (November 6, 2025) – In a continuing effort to provide Sycuan Tribal members, team members and the visiting public access to safe, efficient and reliable utilities, the tribe has announced the commencement of significant capital improvement projects on their reservation.
Promoting tribal energy sovereignty has long been a critical goal for the Tribal Council. In furtherance of this goal, a state-of-the-art co-gen plant will break ground in late October next to the Sycuan Casino Resort and is estimated to begin operations in fall 2026. This plant will allow the tribe to substantially lower power costs long term as well as the power demand from SDG&E. A key feature of the co-gen plant will be the utilization of reclaimed water for cooling the plant, further reducing use of precious groundwater resources. Estimated construction cost is $70 million.
A new utility corridor will connect the Singing Hills resort with the original tribal reservation trust lands and will ultimately contain conduit and pipes for the conveyance of water, wastewater, reclaimed water, electrical, and high-speed fiber optic throughout the entire Sycuan reservation. This effort balances the need of the tribe to provide critical infrastructure for a modern government operation while at the same time protecting sensitive natural resources.
A new wastewater treatment plant will be constructed toward the west end of the utility corridor. This new plant will replace end-of-life facilities located on the original reservation and will promote efficient and sustainable use of groundwater and wastewater resources. Both the corridor and plant are expected to be operational in late 2027. Estimated costs of both are roughly $101 million.
Both the utility corridor and wastewater treatment plant commenced construction in late September after environmental review pursuant to applicable tribal and federal regulations.
These projects commence as the tribe nears completion in December of its modern, efficient and expanded Sycuan Health Center (SHC) with full medical, dental and pharmaceutical services. This 26k square foot facility will replace the tribe’s original 8k square foot medical clinic constructed in the 1970’s. Similar to the original clinic, the SHC will be available to tribal members, team members and their families, and the general public, accepting nearly all forms of insurance plans. Estimated construction cost is $25 million.
Combined the Tribe is investing over $196 million, resulting in a significant boost to local construction industry jobs through primary contracts with Dempsey Construction, Cass Arietta, Colusa Indian Energy, Pacific Hydrotech, Kimley Horn Engineering, Dexter Wilson Engineering, and Hunsaker and Associates.