Letter: Build an arena that serves needs of working class

Thursday, Aug. 5, 1999 | 8:51 a.m.

The ideal arena would be enclosed so that it is air-conditioned during a heat wave, heated during a cold wave, and insulated from a strong wind.

We have had five arenas, each built for a special purpose. Cashman Field is a baseball diamond. Sam Boyd Stadium is for football. The Thomas & Mack Center is for basketball.

The Las Vegas Convention Center rotunda was used for basketball and concerts, and the Aladdin has had theater and concerts, though the acoustics are bad.

The Thomas & Mack Center has been used for various shows, but the acoustics are horrendous. Just about the time that a dragster or truck gets up to speed, the driver has to slam on the brakes and slide into the bleachers.

In addition to an arena downtown, why couldn't our venue, paid with supportive taxes, offer to the attendees food and beverages at prices amenable to the working stiffs who have contributed so much to our political spendthrifts?

This would mean hot dogs and drinks at $1.50 each, and parking and beer at $2 each.

Maybe the arena could also include a go-cart or miniature car track with an affordable $5 admission.

Catering to us working-class folks would mean that the arena would be filled up instead of boarded up.

High-rollers have their snooty Bellagios. Regular people need a place with economical entertainment.

If our elected representatives really represent us, they'll get with it and build the arena for us who have really made Las Vegas what it is today.

J. AARON LESTER