Operator News
US – Tropicana confirms closure on April 2 to make way for $1.5bn baseball stadium
By Phil - 30 January 2024
Bally’s Corp. has now confirmed that the Tropicana Las Vegas will close on April 2, after which it will be demolished to make way for the build of a $1.5bn baseball stadium, which will be the new home of Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics.
The confirmation of the closure follows almost 70 years of operation for the Tropicana, dating back to the Rat-Pack days. The aim is for the 33,000-seat stadium to open in 2028.
In a memo to employees, Tropicana General Manager Arik Knowles said: “We are now able to announce that Bally’s is moving forward with the next steps necassary to make the Tropicana las Vegas site the brand new home of the Athletics, a Major-League baseball team located in Oakland, California. While this is a great opportunity for the company, it comes with a bittersweet feeling as this means that operations of the Tropicana Las Vegas will shut down for redevelopment. We understand and appreciate the number of questions many of you have at the time. Please be assured that property leadership is working closely with Bally’s leadership to assist all team members through this transition period.”
Bally’s President George Papanier said the closure marked ‘an exciting next chapter’ for the company.
“The master plan for the site will accelerate once the Athletics’ ballpark concept design is finalized. The overall development will create energy and vibrancy that previously hasn’t existed on this side of the Strip, adding additional excitement for the sports destination,” Mr Papanier said.
The Tropicana has about 700 employees, with around 300 of these represented by Culinary Workers Union Local 226.
Culinary Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said: “The company notified the workers that their plan was to close, but there were no dates.We worked hard through negotiations in December to try to get the right deal for those workers on the table knowing that there’s a closure coming. We worked very hard with Bally’s and the Tropicana negotiating team to get the agreement. It’s a significant severance package.”
