Hotel reopening, casino remains closed

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 | 11:43 a.m.

The Maxim hotel is set to reopen Friday afternoon after a three-week closure, but its casino will remain shuttered.

Larry Bertsch, court-appointed receiver for the Maxim, said 400 of the hotel's 800 rooms will become available at 3 p.m. Friday. About 150 of the East Flamingo Road's property's workers are being brought back to work.

Bertsch said the property is recalling workers by seniority, and will continue to honor all union contracts. The Culinary Union had about 400 workers at the property at its closing.

"Hopefully we can get this thing cranked up, and get them a check by Christmas," Bertsch said. "It was kind of a bad time of year for this (the closing) to happen."

The property was reopened at the request of Meralex Limited Partnership, which foreclosed on the property Nov. 19. Bertsch said Maxim owner Premier Interval Resorts Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection in Dallas Dec. 3, but said that wouldn't have an effect on the Maxim.

The casino will remain closed because neither Meralex nor Premier hold gaming licenses, and Bertsch said he's unaware of any plans by either company to apply for a license in the near future.

If demand is high, Bertsch said he's ready to open the remaining 400 rooms at the Maxim and bring back more employees.

"I would love that opportunity," Bertsch said. "I want these kids back to work."