Closure of T&M sought

Jace Radke

Friday, Sept. 29, 2000 | 10:59 a.m.

The Thomas & Mack Center should be closed until it meets national standards for accessibility, a disabled rights group argues in a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court.

The suit targets the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the National Finals Rodeo that has been held in Las Vegas for the past 16 years. The suit was filed by the Disabled Rights Action Committee, a Utah-based nonprofit group,

"The Thomas & Mack has had a poor attitude about meeting disability standards," said Ronald Smith, a Las Vegas representative of the action committee. "Once we get the injunction it will hurt Las Vegas. People will feel the pain in the wallet, and then I think we'll see some changes pretty fast."

If the court issues an order to close the arena, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Las Vegas Events Inc. and Roe Corporations would have to cease operating at the arena until it is fully compliant with standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The suit contends that at least one member of the action committee would like to attend the 10-day National Finals Rodeo that begins Dec. 1. The suit says this person, though, is unable to attend because of access issues at the Thomas & Mack.

Some changes have already been completed at the Thomas & Mack and others are being planned, arena marketing director Joseph Santiago said.

"We're not sitting still and we haven't sat still," Santiago said. "The whole idea behind the Americans with Disabilities Act is that buildings built before 1990 need to continue to make upgrades and improve accessibility."

More than $1 million in university and private funds have been spent to make the arena and Sam Boyd Stadium more accessible for wheelchair users and others who need assistance.

Among the renovations are floor-level, wheelchair-accessible seats for basketball games and 63 handicapped parking spaces just outside the arena. Other renovations include special phones for the hearing impaired, lowered pay phones for wheelchair access, lowered concession and ticket windows, directional signs, ramps and new elevators.