Funding Questionable For Arena Expansion

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

What they don't have is any commitment for $45 million to fund the expansion.

A confident weekend announcement that the state Legislature would most likely pay for the expansion of the Thomas & Mack Center surprised the people who would have to approve the payment.

That includes Assembly Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, who said he had never heard of the proposed expansion.

"Get out of here," Arberry said. "There's no way at this time we can tell anyone we had that kind of money to give to anyone."

Las Vegas Events President Tucker DiEdwardo said Saturday the money could come from existing funds in the Legislature and that there was "strong interest" from legislators.

On Monday, DiEdwardo claimed he had been misquoted, though a tape of the interview showed the original quote was accurate.

If the Legislature refuses to pay for the expansion, DiEdwardo said "that throws us back to the negotiating table."

A spokesman for Gov. Bob Miller said no funding for the arena is included in the governor's proposed budget and that it was the first he had heard about it.

Under the deal, which has not been signed, the rodeo would stay in Las Vegas at least through 2010, with prize money increasing and the arena expanded to handle those who can't get tickets now.

The rodeo has been held in Las Vegas since 1985, when it was lured from Oklahoma City with promises of increased prize money.

The current contract with the rodeo expires in 2000, and tourism officials said they took the problem seriously because a number of different cities were expected to try and land the rodeo.

The rodeo has proved to be a boom for a normally slow tourism time in the city, attracting thousands of fans who come to Las Vegas to watch the rodeo and then gamble and party in local casinos.

Tourism officials estimate the rodeo, which ends Sunday, will generate some $24 million in nongaming revenue alone this year.