News
Henderson Events Plaza Fits Plans – Three Different Ways
New Plaza benefits efforts for cultural arts, tourism and redevelopment
September 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
PLEASE CONTACT KARINA MILANI, (702) 267-2171
Henderson, Nev. – When the Henderson Events Plaza is officially unveiled today, members from more than one city department will be smiling. And with all that the facility has to offer, the opening should make residents smile as well.
“The Henderson Events Plaza will be one of the most unique facilities in our city,” Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson said. “Its impact will be felt in so many crucial areas of our community. Not only will it be an important element of the cultural arts and tourism movement efforts, it will continue the recent success we have enjoyed with the redevelopment of downtown’s Water Street District.”
At the Mayor’s State of the City address in February, Gibson announced the creation of a new Department of Cultural Arts and Tourism that will be created from existing resources. The department will offer tourists and residents alike the ability to take full advantage of the cultural venues and opportunities in Henderson.
“This is an example of efficient government,” Gibson said. “It effectively uses the resources that were available to us. It provides a venue for tourists and residents alike to enjoy cultural activities of a broad range throughout the year. At the same time, it draws foot-traffic to the re-energized downtown district.”
The Henderson Events Plaza – located adjacent to Henderson City Hall and the Henderson Convention Center – encompasses over 2.7 acres with over 60,000 square feet of programmable space within the Water Street District in downtown Henderson.
It is scheduled to be the dedicated outdoor arena for such annual events as ArtFest™ of Henderson, St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Springsational Heritage Parade, Super Run Classic Car Show, Firefighter Combat Challenge, WinterFest, and Henderson’s Terrible 400 Desert Race. These events are anticipated to collectively infuse over $20 million of non-gaming economic impact into the local economy annually.
"Any time that the City can create more foot-traffic for businesses while providing a resource to residents as well as guests of our community, that is a win-win situation,” said John R. Rinaldi, Jr., Manager of the Office of Property Management and Redevelopment. “This is a public project that will have a positive impact in so many ways in this community. There is no place like the Water Street District in the entire valley and as we develop the downtown area, it will become a place for tourists to visit off of the Strip."
Partial funding for the Henderson Events Plaza came from an $8 million Recreational Facility Capital Improvement Grant from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
“Strategic partnerships that benefit residents are paramount to running good government,” Gibson said. “We applaud the LVCVA and its leadership for seeing the vision of the entire tourism market in this valley and understanding the important role Henderson is playing and will play in the future. Henderson’s tourism niche complements the rest of the valley’s market and the Henderson Events Plaza project is reflective of that.”
According to the Department of Cultural Arts and Tourism Director Marie Acosta, the opening of the Henderson Events Plaza comes at a time when Henderson’s tourism market and local desire for cultural arts are at an all time high.
“With the establishment of popular resorts in Henderson such as Green Valley Ranch, Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas, Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas and new developments planned for the western most part of the city, Henderson is quickly establishing itself as a destination of choice for many travelers,” Acosta said. “The projections for the future show tremendous growth. This is only the beginning.”
According to officials, the Henderson Events Plaza will be a premier entertainment hub. In addition to providing tourists with entertainment options off of the Las Vegas Strip, the venue will offer a variety of event and leisure opportunities for residents to enjoy.
“We are excited to present this plaza to the city – and to Southern Nevada,” said Marie Acosta. “As a key addition to the establishment of downtown Henderson as a cultural arts and entertainment district, the Henderson Events Plaza will provide a venue unique to Henderson that will truly advance and promote arts and entertainment.”
The site was designed strategically to maximize the functionality of the space and its ability to house sporting events such as basketball, hockey, ice skating, rodeo, boxing, and various performing arts performances, including musical acts and plays.
Companies and private individuals will also have the ability to book space at the Plaza for award ceremonies, social events, weddings, reunions and corporate functions.
For more information about the Henderson Events Plaza or the Department of Cultural Arts and Tourism, call (702) 267-2171 or visit the Web site at www.visithenderson.com.
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