Grand Sierra: Is Reno Ready for Arena Football, Helicopters and Ashton Kutcher?

Posted by Myrna the Minx on March 19, 2006 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

The newest plans have just been released and include a helicopter pad, even more residential space (that means condos), and a 10,000 seat sports complex that the developers hope to house with an arena football team or professional hockey team. And don’t forget about Ashton Kutcher’s restaurant.

Grand Sierra officials are cautioning that things could still go wrong and the project could fall through. But 250 people have already reserved some of the 1995 condos for $10,000 large. And if you’re interested you are going to have to pay 3-10% more after today so get you bootie on down there or lose out on this tourist destination/sports/waterpark/condo bonanza. They are saying that people could move in as soon as this summer.

Is it me or does this project seem slightly manic, or at least a bit zany? A professional hockey or arena football team? Are they serious? From what I know, its hard for such enterprises to make money. Cities build projects and then are dependent on keeping the arena booked all year long. If they can’t, say if the arena football team leaves for greener pastures, then the city is stuck with a venue it can’t fill. Risky business at best.

At least they will keep an outdoor amplitheater. I am a big fan of the Hilton’s outdoor concerts in the summer and the annual Artown Rocky Horror Picture Show performed by The Bawdy Caste. Supposedly its the biggest one in the U.S. and is always a great time.