An exterior view of the Tropicana Las Vegas, on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue, Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 | 1:20 p.m.
This rendering provided by the Oakland Athletics on May 26, 2023, shows a view of their proposed new ballpark at the Tropicana site in Las Vegas.
After more than a half century in operation, the Tropicana will close April 2.
The Las Vegas Strip resort will begin closing out all hotel bookings and relocate reservations for April and beyond, according to a memo sent to employees Monday by the property’s vice president and general manager, Arik Knowles.
“On behalf of our entire leadership team, we deeply appreciate all the effort and incredible work our team has put forth during our time here — dating all the way back to the property's debut in 1957,” the memo says.
The resort is slated for demolition to make room for a $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat stadium for the Oakland Athletics, who are relocating to Las Vegas to become the city’s first Major League Baseball team. The team is expected to start play at the new stadium in the 2028 season.
“While this is a great opportunity for the company, it comes with a bittersweet feeling as this means that operations at the Tropicana Las Vegas will shut down for redevelopment,” the memo says.
Property leadership is working with operator Bally’s Corp. to assist Tropicana employees through the transition period and provide them with resources, the memo says. It is also working with local agencies and unions to assist with unemployment benefits and employment placement, the memo says.
Bally’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union, said Tropicana workers who receive severance will get $2,000 per service year, plus six months of health insurance.
Workers who want to get a “recall” to work at a new resort that property owner Gaming and Leisure Properties has said will eventually be built adjacent to the stadium can receive only up to $15,000 in severance, he said.
“We were very well prepared,” Pappageorge said, noting the Tropicana will have employees make their choice between now and closing day.
“We'll be meeting with Tropicana workers later this week to make sure that they clearly and completely understand the negotiated package,” he said.
There are an estimated 500 Culinary and Bartenders Union workers at the Tropicana, Pappageorge said.
“Our No. 1 concern was to make sure they got a fair shake on severance and an opportunity, if they prefer, to put their name on the list to be able to work in the new property,” Pappageorge said.
The union will assist employees who are not seeking a recall find jobs elsewhere, he said.
The stadium is slated to use only 9 acres of the Tropicana site, leaving the remainder of the 36-acre swath for the new resort.
Gaming and Leisure Properties did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“We know these past few months have not been easy, but we cannot begin to express how thankful we are to have such a stellar team to work with day in and day out,” the memo to employees says. “We will continue to be committed to our guests and to each other, and to providing everyone with the excellent service Tropicana Las Vegas has been known for over the years.”
