He said purse strings have been loosened somewhat to add superior touches to the property. “We’ve been happy with the underperformance of Hollywood.”

“Not knowing what the financial impact would be from Hollywood Casino (now known as Jamul Casino) opening (in 2016), we had to develop things still in the unknown,” Martinez said. In light of that, Martinez said Sycuan officials favored a more conservative budget early in the process. Sycuan’s expansion - which includes a large-scale pool complex with a lazy river, an all-ages and an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar, a day spa with eight treatment rooms, an events center, and multiple new dining concepts - comes amid the San Diego area’s casino ultra-competitive casino market. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune)