Group eyes purchase of Reno Hilton

Friday, April 29, 2005 | 11:17 a.m.

A group of investors is trying to buy the Reno Hilton with plans to add condominiums and indoor water park to the property.

Grand Sierra Resort Corp. has been considering the idea for more than a year but hotel officials said there is no signed agreement, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported today.

"A water park under a roof sounds pretty interesting," said Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, who wrote a letter in May supporting Grand Sierra's proposal.

At 250,000 square feet, the park would be the largest indoor water park in the United States, according to presentations Grand Sierra made to public officials last year when the effort to buy the Hilton began.

Grand Sierra also received letters of support from Gov. Kenny Guinn, Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority President Jeff Beckelman and state Sen. Bill Raggio.

David Wasick, a lawyer for the group, said the Hilton's hotel rooms would remain, as would some gambling.

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