Monday, May 3, 1999 | 11:53 a.m.
Construction workers gawked and yelled their approval as actress Sophia Loren christened the city's latest megaresort, a $1.5 billion replica of Venice icons.
"We love you, Sophia," a bearded construction worker yelled Monday as the famous Italian star toured The Venetian with resort Chairman Sheldon Adelson, trailed by some 400 media from around the world.
"I was flabbergasted with what I saw," Ms. Loren told a news conference after a tour of the new megaresort, which was to open to the general public at 11 p.m. as county building inspectors made last minute checks of the property. "It is just miraculous what you have done. I think the people of Venice would like to come here to see what you have done."
The 3,036-room resort replicates landmarks of the famous Italian city.
Ms. Loren kicked off a day of opening activities by breaking a bottle of champagne across the bow of one of several gondolas in a 586,000-gallon lagoon in front of the property.
The resort sits on the site of the old Sands Hotel, a Las Vegas icon made famous by The Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.
The Sands was imploded 2 1/2 years ago to make way for Adelson's ambitious project.
About 2,000 Culinary Union members picketed at the hotel Monday to protest Adelson's refusal to open the resort union.
Loren was the star attraction at a media preview, as construction workers scrambled to put finishing touches on the property.
Some 50 costumed medieval characters gathered in a square in front of a replica of the Doges Palace as Adelson pointed out highlights of the resort. As Ms. Loren smashed the champagne bottle, 100 doves were released and circled the sprawling resort.
Adelson then escorted Ms. Loren inside the building, down a rotunda 50 feet high, with ornate murals on the ceilings. Walking through the casino he put a dollar bill in a slot machine to show her how it worked. The reels first refused to budge when she pushed a button, then came up with nothing when they finally rolled.
"You'll have to come back and try again," Adelson told the star.
Adelson and Ms. Loren then joined hotel executives in cutting a ribbon.
"Welcome to Las Venice," Adelson told the actress.
Adelson said his new resort would combine "the romance of Venice with the luxury of Beverly Hills or Palm Springs with the excitement of Las Vegas."
While thousands of VIPs were partying inside at a black-tie gala, upset union worker were picketing outside.
The union wants the hotel's 15 restaurants - which are independently owned - to hire only union workers. Adelson has said the pay and benefits he is giving his workers exceeds union scale.
"What happens here is going to affect the standard of living for the whole community," Culinary Local 226 secretary-treasurer Jim Arnold said as he watched picketers, including mayoral candidate Arnie Adamsen, rally in front of the Venetian.
The union is also upset that Adelson refused to hire back union workers who worked at the Sands.
At a news conference, Adelson was asked why he did not hire union workers at the hotel. Adelson first said he would not discuss the question during the media event, then responded "We want to recognize the rights of workers to have a secret ballot election - period."
Monday's opening is expected to help boost the city's tourism numbers, which have been up since the October opening of the $1.6 billion Bellagio, several blocks away.
Tourism officials had expressed concern that the opening of five new resorts over a year's period could result in a glut of hotel rooms. But monthly increases in the visitor count have stemmed that concern.
Adelson said last week he's not concerned about overbuilding, and plans to start on a second 3,036-room tower this summer.
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