Events facility approved

Angela Soo

Thursday, June 14, 2001 | 9:36 a.m.

North Las Vegas residents may see their first neighborhood convention center in as soon as two months.

Planning commissioners Wednesday approved the special events facility, which is 90 percent complete, with the understanding that all technical requirements must be fulfilled before the business opens.

The Bulloch family, which owns Fort Las Vegas Casino, are renovating an old grocery store next to the casino near Cheyenne Avenue and Civic Center Drive to create the center. The project is estimated to cost up to $200,000.

The center will accommodate 200 to 2,000 people, depending on the nature of the event, said Troy Bulloch, who helps his father, Boyd Bulloch, manage the casino. Each event should create 75 jobs, he said.

"The need of the neighborhood matches what we're going to provide," Bulloch said. "It's a perfect marriage."

The facility will be just under 28,000 square feet and will be used for concerts, professional boxing events, weddings, trade shows and general convention purposes.

Planning Commissioner Anita Wood said the community would benefit from the new addition.

"We've had nothing but complaints about not having meeting rooms," Wood said. "This will bring economic diversity in an area that needed a boost for a long time."

Two local residents voiced their support for the project.

"We always wanted to see this happen so we can have performances there," said Rosel Seastrand, the wife of former North Las Vegas Mayor James Seastrand.

Seastrand directs theatrical performances, and finds it difficult to rent spaces at the high schools or local community college, she said.

"They're on a schedule as well," Seastrand said. "This multipurpose facility will be a multi-use adventure."

Mike Winne, a North Las Vegas resident who works in the electronics industry, told commissioners he would be relieved not to have to travel outside his city for convention events.

Revenue generated from the facility will help fund a hotel the Bullochs plan to build.