City to pursue pro tennis event

Dan Kulin

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 | 10:49 a.m.

Las Vegas' newest tennis complex could host a large professional men's tennis tournament in February 2006, which would be televised on the Tennis Channel cable network.

The Mayor and City Council on Wednesday voted 6-0 to give city staff the authority to continue working on an offer for an ATP men's tennis tournament.

Councilman Larry Brown said landing the tournament would be like the city getting another major professional golf tournament, or the NBA All-Star Game, which the city will host in 2007.

"This is huge if we can get it," Brown said.

The tournament, called the ATP Tennis Channel Tournament, would be held at the city's new Stacy and Amanda Darling Tennis Center near Durango Drive off Summerlin Parkway.

The roughly $11 million, 23-court facility is part of a new 110-acre park that also includes 11 soccer fields, playgrounds, and a nearly 2-mile track. The tennis courts will officially open to the public on Monday, Sept. 19.

Brown said the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority will probably offer between $250,000 and $500,000 for the tournament.

Las Vegas is competing with other cities for the tournament, but Brown said he doesn't know what other cities or how many are vying for the tournament.

"There are still obstacles to jump through," Brown said.

The tournament would be part of potentially 14 days of activities at the courts, which could also include a celebrity tournament, and other activities, he said.