Las Vegas Weekly

September 10, 2008 · 6 AM

Combustible concerns, midweek date could take spark out of NYE

By Robin Leach

Photo: Scott Doctor

Fireworks burst above Planet Hollywood.

A double whammy has hit our Strip resorts just as they were hoping the upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations would reinvigorate our economy and start 2009 on the road to recovery!

Clark County fire officials who monitor safety concerns along the Strip resorts have become increasingly concerned as a result of the Monte Carlo resort rooftop blaze. Now they have discovered that similar accidents could just as easily happen on several older Strip hotel rooftops. Hotel and architectural executives confirmed to me that fire inspectors have examined all rooftops as a result of the welding accident that caused the combustion blaze. Newer constructed hotels are within the new code requirements preventing roof infernos. I was told that the Fire Department officials discovered similar Monte Carlo Styrofoam issues at several properties, and thus have decreed fireworks can no longer be launched without a retro safety fit totaling some $350,000 per hotel roof.

Photo: TVT

Fireworks illuminate Red Rock Resort.

Obviously, in these tough economic times, the casinos balked at the added individual cost just for a one-night fireworks display. As a result -- at this moment -- plans for the New Year's Eve fireworks display have been put on hold, although some hotels are seeing if alternate displays can be launched from ground floor areas or from concrete parking structures that don’t have the Styrofoam facade issues. Fire officials add that in the event of a rooftop conflagration it could be almost impossible to get fire-trucks through 300,000 revelers on the Strip, which will is pedestrian-only on New Year’s Eve.

In addition to that fire problem now looms the awkward midweek date of New Year’s Eve. Accounting executives who monitor room rates and bookings now believe that with Dec. 31 falling on a Wednesday night it will be a case of fun-and thrill-seekers coming in on Tuesday and departing Thursday, and thus making both the Dec. 26,27,28 and Jan. 2,3,4, weekends “dead-zones.” Apparently, Steve Wynn is the only hotelier to date planning to make it a mandatory five-day booking from Dec. 30-through Jan. 3. Marketing executives at more than one resort have discussed doing a double New Year’s party with the same performers from Dec. 31 returning for second shows on Jan. 2 and 3.

Luxe Life will continue to monitor this story for developments in the firework issue and the room-booking systems for the upcoming turn of the year!

Photo: Stardust

The Stardust no longer exists, but this photo of fireworks booming above the hotel will live in perpetuity.

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