Reno CC Work Finished

Visitors to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nev., have a new feature to admire: the recently completed West Plaza expansion.

The $2.37 million construction project included a new limousine staging area, plus additional parking, lighting, ramp access and landscaping.

“All of the changes to the West Plaza expansion were for the exterior of the structure,” said Mary Paoli, communications manager at the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority.

The expansion came in under the projected budget of $3 million, she added.

“The initial completion of the super block marks the success of a long-term undertaking that has truly improved the quality of our convention center and the experience of those who visit for conventions,” said President and CEO Ellen Oppenheim in a press release. “Meetings and conventions contribute significant economic benefits to Reno-Tahoe, and having quality facilities is critical to our ability to attract and retain convention business.”

The expansion is the latest element of the convention center's master plan, initiated in the early 1990s, to turn 35 acres surrounding the convention center into one contiguous super block, Paoli said.

When the most recent convention center expansion and renovation was completed in 2002, the authority didn't own the land on the west expansion, which is why it had to be added later, she added.

“That is the last parcel of land, so now the Reno-Sparks Convention (& Visitors) Authority owns the whole block,” she added. “The beautiful thing is that we have a lot of space. It positions us perfectly for the future and what's to come.”

One more convention center project began earlier this year: a sky bridge connecting the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa to the north end of the convention center building, she added.