NBA royalty expected at Gray Wolf Peak Casino sports bar grand opening
EVARO — The remodel of the former Timbers Restaurant at the Gray Wolf Peak Casino into a sports bar is nearing completion. While supply chain issues may delay total completion, they won't interfere with grand opening festivities at the end of the month.
“The furniture for the bar is just now getting set up in there. The custom-made bar arrived six weeks late but things are taking shape,” said S&K Gaming Chief Executive Officer Bryon Miller. “The goal is to be ready for the Super Star Meet and Greet event on April 29. We are bringing in some help to kick off the sports bar opening.”
The “some help” Miller is referring to is the guest appearance of five NBA basketball greats, including one well known to University of Montana Grizzly basketball fans. They, thanks to the efforts Monte Marengo, will be on hand to meet and greet the public April 29.
Michael Ray Richardson, a quicksilver herky-jerky 6-5 guard, played for the Montana Grizzlies from 1974-1978. Richardson, aka “Sugar,” was picked fourth by the New York Knicks in the 1978 NBA draft. He played in the league from 1978 to 1986 for the Knicks, Golden State Warriors and the New Jersey Nets. The four-time NBA All-Star averaged 15 points and seven steals a game.
Scoring phenom George Gervin, aka "Iceman," played for the American Basketball Association and the NBA from 1972-1990. The college and NBA Hall of Famer played for the ABA Virginia Squires and the NBA San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls. He averaged 25 points in his career.
Shooting guard Otis Birdsong, the second pick in the 1977 NBA draft, played in the NBA from 1977-1989 with the Kansas City Kings, New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics. He was elected to the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. He averaged 18 points a game.
Point guard Calvin Murphy was the 18th pick in the 1970 NBA draft. The Niagara University player played for the San Diego/Houston Rockets from 1970-1983. The College and NBA Hall of Famer averaged 18 points a game.
Center Artis Gilmore was the 117th pick in the 1971 NBA draft and was selected by the Chicago Bulls. However, Gilmore chose to play for the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA from 1971-1976. He then played for the Bulls from 1976-1982, the San Antonio Spurs from 1982-1987 and Boston Celtics in 1988. Gilmore averaged 19 points a game and was elected to the NBA Hall of Fame.
The remodel includes a full-service bar and cafe, a pair of pool tables, a shuffle board, four 75-inch and six 55-inch TVs, and a small live music performance stage.
The bar will seat 28, and the tables can seat up to 50 people without crowding. The former small-party alcove will house one of the pool tables and have one of the TVs as well as tables and seating. There will also be a two-bay golf simulators that are slated for May 16th installment.
The sports bar atmosphere will include sports memorabilia décor. There will be specials around games, especially Montana Grizzly and Montana State Bobcat football and basketball games, as well as the World Series, NFL championships, etc.
Tickets for the Meet and Greet event cost $50 and are available at the casino or online at graywolfpeakcasino.com.