The Hoover Dam Lodge will temporarily close its doors as construction workers complete the renovation of the main casino floor and other areas. The closure is expected to last about seven weeks.
The main casino closure will begin Feb. 5 when one of the property’s newly designed Dotty’s opens, according to General Manager Steve DesChamps. With the amount of construction going on around the property, DesChamps said they didn’t want to jeopardize the safety of customers.
“There’s just going to be so much disruption, and safety is going to be an issue,” Dotty’s spokesman Reggie Burton said.
DesChamps said about 150 construction workers will be staying at the hotel as they work around the clock to finish the renovation. DesChamps said the convenience store, cafe, bar and front lobby are expected to be completed by March 27.
Some employees will be kept during construction, but he did not give a specific number. The staff kept on during construction will be from security, food and beverage, and the front desk, he said.
DesChamps also said “a couple dozen” employees will be placed on furlough during the closure so they can collect unemployment until the property reopens. All of the furloughed employees will be brought back, and they will receive a signing bonus once the facility reopens, DesChamps said.
The Hoover Dam Lodge employs about 100 people. About half of the property’s business comes from Boulder City and Henderson residents, while tourists make up the other half, according to DesChamps.
Contact reporter Steven Slivka at sslivka@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @StevenSlivka.