by Ray Smith
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of trustees on Tuesday, December 13, approved an additional $30 million for the phase three renovation project of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The board amended CEO Steve Hill’s authority to execute construction services agreements with Miller Project Management related to the renovation project and authorized any residual unexpended balances to revert to capital projects funds.
Originally approved for $432 million in March, the price tag has increased to about $600 million, plus $20 million for new administrative offices and board room.
“Brian, you’re the only person I know who can ask for that much money humbly,” board member John Marz quipped to Chief Operating Officer Brian Yost.
After opening the $1.4 billion Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall in 2021, LVCVA staff went to work on a major expansion and renovation of the older North and Central halls to accommodate current customer needs and capture future tradeshow opportunities. The entrance and lobby of the South Hall will also be upgraded.
Construction by Penta Building Group is scheduled to begin in March.
Miller’s project team developed four primary sequences for the renovation: 1) enhancements to back-of-house systems and new South Hall lobby; 2) major additions and modifications to the front of the convention center, including North Hall connector, new main lobby, and Central Hall to South Hall connector; 3) enhancements to exhibit halls, concourses, restrooms and meeting rooms; and 4) enhancements to parking lots and site security.
In other board action:
- The board authorized CEO and President Steve Hill to sign a one-year sponsorship for the Pac-12 conference football championship in 2023 in the amount of $1.4 million. The game will be played at Allegiant Stadium. Utah defeated USC, 47-24, in the 2022 Pac-12 championship game on December 2 at Allegiant Stadium. The game was sold out and garnered some 6.2 million viewers on Fox television. CEO Hill wants to bring the NCAA championship game to Las Vegas.
- The board delegated Chief Financial Officer Ed Finger to acquire property insurance for the Las Vegas Monorail, for the policy period of January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, in the amount of $320,000.
- The board authorized CEO Hill to execute an agreement with Korn Ferry for $365,000 to provide consultation services and implementation roadmaps for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), and the alignment of LVCVA’s core values with the ambassador experience.
- The board appointed Boulder City Councilman Steve Walton to serve on the board for the term ending November 2026.
At the close of the meeting, the board recognized the work of Las Vegas Events President Pat Christenson, who is retiring after more than 40 years of bringing special events to Las Vegas.
His greatest achievement was bringing the National Finals Rodeo to Las Vegas in 1985. The NFR wrapped up its 10-day competition in December at Thomas & Mack Center, drawing 175,000 spectators and setting a single-day attendance record. The accompanying Cowboy Christmas gift show, taking 500,000 square feet in the South Hall, drew 270,000 people.
