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Oasis (hotel and casino)

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Coordinates: 36°48′17″N 114°05′45″W / 36.8047°N 114.0958°W / 36.8047; -114.0958
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Oasis
Map
Location Mesquite, Nevada
Address 897 West Mesquite Boulevard
Opening date1960s
Closing dateDecember 2008 (various portions)
2010 (casino)
No. of rooms900
Total gaming space33,557 sq ft (3,117.5 m2)[1]
Casino typeLand-based
Previous namesWestern Village Truck Stop
Peppermill Resort
Si Redd's Oasis
Renovated in1984
1995
Coordinates36°48′17″N 114°05′45″W / 36.8047°N 114.0958°W / 36.8047; -114.0958

Oasis was a hotel and casino located on 26 acres (11 ha) of land at 897 West Mesquite Boulevard in Mesquite, Nevada, adjacent to Interstate 15.[1][2][3]

It began as the Western Village Truck Stop in the 1960s. William "Si" Redd purchased it in 1976 and renamed it five years later as Peppermill's Western Village. Until 1990, it was the only casino in Mesquite. It was renamed Si Redd's Oasis in 1993, later shortened to simply Oasis.

In 2001, Redd sold the Oasis to Randy Black Sr. and Black Gaming. Portions of the Oasis were closed in December 2008, due to financial losses. The Oasis' casino was closed in 2010, although the hotel was still used for overflow guests at Black Gaming's other Mesquite casinos. The Oasis was demolished in 2013.

History

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Early years and sale

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The property began in the 1960s,[3] as the Western Village Truck Stop, with 28 motel rooms and 23 slot machines.[4][5] William "Si" Redd, who founded the slot machine company International Game Technology, purchased the struggling Western Village in 1976.[4][5] It was renamed Peppermill's Western Village in 1981,[6][7][8] and was also known as Peppermill Resort.[9] An expansion was underway in 1984,[10] adding 248 rooms.[11] A new restaurant, gift shop and arcade were later added.[12]

The Peppermill was the only casino in Mesquite until 1990, when the Virgin River opened.[13][14] In 1993, the resort was renamed Si Redd's Oasis.[15] The name Peppermill Oasis was also briefly used in the mid-1990s.[16] A renovation was completed in 1995, which added a few hundred rooms to the hotel.[17] By 1996, the Oasis' amenities included two nearby golf courses.[18]

In October 1996, Redd turned over control of the Oasis to his son-in-law, Alan Green, who was named as president and sole director. Redd's daughters, Sarah Green and Vinnie Copeland, were named trustees of the William S. Redd Family Trust, which owned the property.[19] By 1997, management had changed several times at the Oasis in recent years, which was seen as evidence of possible problems at the resort, including new competition.[20] In December 1999, the Mesquite City Council was sued for its decision to deny the installation of a 99-foot sign advertising the resort's Oasis Casino Liquor Store.[21]

In June 2001, employees at the Oasis had to reapply for their jobs at the resort when it was sold to Randy Black Sr. for $31 million,[22][23] despite monopoly concerns; the Black family already owned two of the city's four casinos, and the Oasis gave them 91 percent of the city's casino hotel rooms, 85 percent of the city's table games, and 80 percent of the city's slot machines.[23] Employees alleged that Black had lied to them and was planning to demote veteran employees and cut their salaries. Black claimed that he rehired 800 of the Oasis' 900 employees, and that any salary cuts would be caused by Mesquite market conditions.[22] At the time, Redd said about the purchase, "I had lost touch with who I was -- my thing was tinkering with machines. I was never really a casino owner. The Oasis was a good idea and it was fun, but it never really was a money maker because it was not managed right."[24] Black took possession of the Oasis on July 1, 2001.[22][25]

Closure and demolition

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The Oasis generated a negative income of $900,000 during the third quarter of 2008, while Black Gaming's revenues dropped 23 percent during the same period, both due to a decline in tourism.[26] In November 2008, after defaulting on a loan, Black Gaming considered briefly closing one of its three casinos, but the company did not specify which one could close or when the closure could occur.[27]

On December 1, 2008, Black Gaming announced plans to temporarily close the Oasis' casino, restaurants and night clubs on December 5, cutting 500 jobs as part of a bank agreement.[28][26][29] The casino's 27 table games were closed on December 1,[29] while other casino and restaurant operations would be gradually phased out by December 5. Restaurant operations were expected to cease on the night of December 5. Some slot machines were left operational at the resort's front counter to maintain a nonrestricted gaming license. Black said that "no assurances" could be made as to when the Oasis' facilities could reopen.[26]

The resort's hotel, RV park, golf course, and gun club were expected to remain open, as well as its timeshare facilities:[26] the 34-unit Grand Destinations Vacation Club and the 39-unit Peppermill Palms at Mesquite, a total of 73 units.[3] On December 5, much of the 900-room hotel was closed, leaving only 100 rooms.[29] The casino's number of slot machines was reduced from 750 to 144.[30] The casino's Denny's restaurant, owned by a separate company, remained open as well.[29] The Oasis was among the top three employers in Mesquite, along with Black Gaming's other two resorts.[26] Ultimately, 347 employees were laid off.[31]

In February 2009, Black Gaming's bank agreement was extended, allowing it to continue with reduced operations.[30] That month, the Mesquite City Council extended the Oasis' gaming and liquor permits until July 31, 2009.[32] In May 2009, Black Gaming closed a miniature golf course and go-kart track located on the property, and announced plans to close the Denny's restaurant on May 31, 2009.[33]

During a 2010 Chapter 11 hearing, company officials considered demolition of the Oasis. On May 19, 2010, Randy Black Sr. said there was no timetable for demolition, and stated that the resort could reopen entirely if the local economy improved. At that time, 16 slot machines remained operational at the casino.[2] The same day, Black Gaming announced plans to demolish the Oasis, which was considered an "outdated, inefficient property." Demolition was expected to begin in June 2010, with a cost of $1.1 million. At least 300 hotel rooms were expected to be kept and remain operational, depending on business conditions. No plans for the property's future had been decided at that time.[3] Up to that point, the hotel, RV park, and convention facilities had been used only on an overflow basis for Black Gaming's other resorts when they were fully occupied.[33][2]

In June 2010, Black Gaming announced plans to cease operations of its 16 slot machines,[34] and announced that nearly 400 hotel rooms would remain after demolition.[35] The casino closed that year.[36] In July 2011, Mesquite Gaming LLC took over operations of Black Gaming's resorts, including the Oasis, which was still being used for hotel guest overflow. At that time, five timeshare units were being maintained, while the new company was considering a refurbishment of the property, contingent on an improving economy.[37] Demolition began on May 4, 2013, and was scheduled to last three months. The casino, six hotel buildings, a spa building, a pool, and the go-kart track were expected to be demolished.[38] Approximately 90 percent of demolished materials from the buildings were expected to be recycled and re-used.[39][40]

Anthony Toti, chief executive officer of Mesquite Gaming, said the company would "start something very nice in a couple years" on the property. The Oasis' two timeshare buildings and its RV park were not demolished. A pedestrian bridge was also kept for future use.[39] The site has since been used for annual events, including car shows and balloon festivals.[41]

Incidents

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On March 10, 1996, Butch Laswell, a stunt performer from nearby Logandale, died while performing a televised motorcycle stunt on a pedestrian bridge connected to the Oasis.[17][42][43][44] The resort paid $100,000 to set up the stunt, which attracted 23,000 spectators.[45]

In July 2000, an eight-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a Utah man who lured her away from the resort's Family Fun Center Arcade.[46][47][48] The girl's family sued the Oasis for a lack of adequate security in February 2001, seeking $5 million in punitive damages.[47]

On the night of May 13, 2005, the Oasis was partially evacuated when a Utah man began firing gunshots inside a hotel room. After a two-hour standoff and several unsuccessful attempts to contact the man, police entered the room and found that the man had shot and killed himself.[49][50]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Oasis Resort, Casino, Golf & Spa". CasinoCity.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Stutz, Howard (May 19, 2010). "Oasis in Mesquite may reopen". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Green, Steve (May 19, 2010). "Black Gaming demolishing Oasis casino in Mesquite". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Knightly, Arnold M. (July 25, 2010). "Book chronicles rise of IGT founder Redd". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Jones, Chris (January 11, 2004). "Bargain Getaway: Destination Mesquite". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 24, 2005.
  6. ^ "Peppermill operations". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 5, 1982. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  7. ^ Borders, Myram (April 10, 1983). "Glitter comes to Mesquite". UPI. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  8. ^ "Si Redd". Reno Gazette-Journal. January 14, 1996. Retrieved March 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Peppermill Resort features 344 rooms". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 29, 1987. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  10. ^ "Peppermill expanding". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 8, 1984. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  11. ^ "City feels growing pains". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 29, 1985. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  12. ^ "Peppermill begins construction". Las Vegas Review-Journal. December 31, 1989. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Griggs, Brandon (May 12, 1999). "Fast-growing town brings retirees, gamblers to desert". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  14. ^ Steinhauer, Adam (February 12, 1997). "Mesquite's Latest". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 19, 1997.
  15. ^ "Rolling Redd". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 24, 1993. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  16. ^ "Peppermill Oasis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 1994. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Zekan, Karen (March 14, 1996). "Mesquite official outraged by Hammargren". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  18. ^ "Mesquite resort expands marketing as golf getaway". Las Vegas Sun. 12 July 1996. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Thompson, Gary (October 16, 1996). "A Si of Relief". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016.
  20. ^ Steinhauer, Adam (February 17, 1997). "Mesquite's Four of a Kind". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 19, 1997.
  21. ^ "City sued for vetoing casino liquor store sign". Las Vegas Sun. December 1, 1999. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  22. ^ a b c Simpson, Jeff (June 23, 2001). "Transfer angers Oasis workers". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 15, 2002.
  23. ^ a b Simpson, Jeff (June 21, 2001). "Oasis Acquisition: Mesquite casino's workers to reapply". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 8, 2002.
  24. ^ "Payback: Gaming pioneer Redd looks back on a lifetime of giving to those in need". Las Vegas Sun. June 25, 2001. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  25. ^ Simpson, Jeff (June 27, 2001). "Regulators to review rules on casino monopolies". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 22, 2002.
  26. ^ a b c d e Knightly, Arnold M. (December 3, 2008). "Black closes Oasis' casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  27. ^ "Black Gaming may look to briefly close Mesquite casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  28. ^ "Oasis Casino In Mesquite Laying Off 500 Workers". KLAS-TV. December 2, 2008. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  29. ^ a b c d Knightly, Arnold M. (December 6, 2008). "Deserted Oasis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  30. ^ a b "Updated agreement will keep Oasis running". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 7, 2009. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  31. ^ Lin, Joanna (January 3, 2009). "Out in Nevada desert, gambling runs dry". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  32. ^ "Liquor, gaming permits extended for Oasis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 12, 2009. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  33. ^ a b Knightly, Arnold M. (May 21, 2009). "Black Gaming to further reduce Oasis operations". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  34. ^ Knightly, Arnold M. (June 28, 2010). "Judge approves Black Gaming reorganization plan". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  35. ^ "Black Gaming to demolish part of Oasis, including casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  36. ^ Stutz, Howard (October 9, 2013). "Randy Black out as COO of Mesquite Gaming". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  37. ^ Sieroty, Chris (July 29, 2011). "New company's plans for Mesquite approved". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  38. ^ Lapan, Tovin (May 3, 2013). "Demolition of shuttered Oasis casino in Mesquite getting underway". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  39. ^ a b Ellestad, Barbara (May 6, 2013). "Mesquite Casino Owners Provide Property Updates". Mesquite Citizen Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  40. ^ "Demolition". The Daily Spectrum. May 7, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ Ellestad, Barbara (November 14, 2016). "Mesquite Gaming cleaning up". Mesquite Local News. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  42. ^ Zekan, Karen (March 11, 1996). "Wind likely led to crash that killed LV daredevil". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  43. ^ Macy, Robert (February 24, 1998). "Son of famous daredevil makes record jump". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  44. ^ Friess, Steve (May 22, 1998). "Going Steer Crazy". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 20, 2003.
  45. ^ Zekan, Karen (March 12, 1996). "Blame flies after fatal stunt crash". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  46. ^ "Utah man charged in assault on girl". Las Vegas Sun. August 5, 2000. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  47. ^ a b "Mesquite casino sued over molestation of girl". Las Vegas Sun. February 5, 2001. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  48. ^ Smith, Kim (September 5, 2000). "Problem with witness leads to deal in sex case". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  49. ^ "Utah man kills himself in Mesquite resort standoff". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 14, 2005. Archived from the original on July 21, 2005.
  50. ^ "In Brief - Standoff With Police". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 18, 2005. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006.
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