Newest casino will open in northwest Las Vegas Sept. 12

Lisa Snedeker

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2000 | 3:54 a.m.

LAS VEGAS - The Suncoast hotel-casino, the newest resort in Las Vegas, will open its doors Sept. 12 in the city's northwest.

Company officials originally said the $200 million casino that will target residents could open as soon as Friday.

"When we said we were looking for a Sept. 1 opening, we were being very optimistic," Suncoast spokeswoman Celia Thompson said.

"Our construction is on schedule, we just want to give ourselves plenty of time to fulfill the fire life safety testing."

Both the Aladdin and The Venetian resorts on The Strip experienced opening delays when construction wasn't completed early enough to allow fire safety testing.

"We always said a fall opening, and fall doesn't begin until Sept. 22, so we are actually ahead of schedule," Thompson said.

Once fire inspectors give clearance, the Mediterranean-themed Suncoast will open with 2,100 slot and video machines, 48 table games, a 16-theater movie complex, a bingo parlor, a bowling alley and four restaurants. The average rate for the 200-room hotel will be $65.

David Ross, vice president and general manager, told state gaming commissioners earlier this month that he hopes to draw 85 to 90 percent of its business from residents.

Ross said at the time he is hoping to compete with Station Casinos' neighborhood gambling properties. In addition Suncoast wants to attract seniors from a nearby masterplanned community.

The week-and-a-half delay will allow the company to make sure the employees are fully trained, Thompson said.

"When we do open, we want to be ready," she said. "We're going to take full advantage of the time to work out all the kinks."

Coast Resorts Inc., whose chief executive officer and chairman is Michael Gaughan, owns two other off-Strip properties - the Orleans and the Gold Coast - and the Barbary Coast on The Strip.

Earlier this month Coast Resorts reported revenues of $94.5 million for the quarter ending June 30, a 6.7 percent increase over a year ago. Net income increased 49 percent to $7 million.