Panel hears request for Boulder City hotel

Friday, Feb. 25, 2000 | 11:02 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In addition to hearing the request for Huntridge Theater funding, the state Cultural Affairs Commission also Thursday heard a request from the Boulder Dam Hotel Association for $136,000.

Vern Burk, manager of the project in Boulder City, said bids to refurbish the rooms came in higher than expected. And he needs the extra money to complete the work.

The restaurant, shops, art gallery and museum at the historic hotel are operating, but the added money is needed to complete the 23 rooms to accommodate guests. The hotel has an agreement with UNLV for students to get their on-the-job training in hotel management at the site.

The hotel has received $832,928 in past years from the commission. If he gets the grant this time, Burk said, "I won't be back," to the commission for more money.

Also, Louise Helton of the Junior League of Las Vegas, asked the commission for $228,340 to continue restoration of the Whitehead House in Las Vegas. The house would be moved to across the street from the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts and could be used by the students for cultural activities.

Helton said the league is trying to entice the, "This Old House" PBS television program to help in the restoration. And the trades and carpenters unions are offering in-kind contributions. It could become a major attraction when Las Vegas celebrates its centennial in 2005, she said.

Other requests from Southern Nevada included $100,000 from North Las Vegas to complete restoration of an adobe structure at the Kiel Ranch park; $631,047 for restoration of the Logandale School and $71,200 for rehabilitation of the Union Pacific train depot in Henderson.