More than 700 attend Soaring Eagle Water Park and Hotel job fair

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Soaring Eagle Water Park and Hotel has 194 positions to fill for its grand opening in mid-April, but the number of applicants on Tuesday far exceeded that.

More than 700 people were lined up at 9 a.m. at the job fair held at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort Entertainment room. Booths were set up for potential employees to turn in applications and talk to a representative about each position available. The job fair lasted until 5 p.m., and the final number of applicants will not be determined until next week when applications are sorted, said Soaring Eagle Water Park and Hotel Manager Bonnie Spraque.

“It’s awesome to see all the individuals interested in working,” Spraque said.

When Spraque presented the business plan to the Tribal Council, they immediately saw the resort as a source to boost the economy, she said.

“It’s definitely a strength,” she said.

A previous job fair was held Feb. 15 for tribal members, first-line descendants and Native Americans. Saginaw Chippewa Indian Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier said there were 500 interviews from the job fair, although there were only 300 applicants. Many people were applying for more than one job, he said.

The resort will need employees to fit many different areas including housekeeping, facilities, lifeguards, retail clerks, guest services and food and beverage.  The biggest area to fill is the food and beverage department, with the restaurant wait staff, host/hostess, utility/dishwasher, line cooks, preparation, cashiers and supervisors.

“We are looking at everybody,” Cloutier said.

For Mount Pleasant resident Danielle Wisneski, it was her first job fair she attended on Tuesday.

“I’m into the office-type of thing, so I’m hoping there’s something like that,” she said.

Wisneski said she called the Water Park in search of a job, and they directed her to the job fair.

Beaverton resident Tresa Haus was also attending her first job fair.

Haus said she wasn’t intimidated with all the people there.

“So far, so good,” she said. “Everyone has been very helpful, although I’m a little confused with where to go.”

With 16 years in the food service industry, Haus said she hopes she is qualified for a position in that area.

Weidman resident Amber Carman said the job fair was a perfect opportunity because of the ability to apply for several positions.

“I need a job really bad,” she said. “I know the casino is a good place to work, so I figured I would try it out.”

Weidman said she was hoping to land a position in the food and beverage position.

“We want as many candidates as we can so we can pick the best of the best,” Cloutier said.

Cloutier said a job fair is the best way for the hiring process to be successful.

People spend money locally, which will stimulate money in Mount Pleasant, he said.

Cloutier said he hopes the Water Park and Hotel will give people an income who don’t currently have one.

“The more people that can work, the more we can spur the economy,” he said.