DREAMSCAPES FALL/ WINTER 2016
16
A
few years ago, there were con-
cerns about whether Vegas would
make it through the economic
downturn, when the country as a whole was
reeling. Instead, like a champion fighter, it
has hauled itself up from the canvas to
score an impressive knockout. More than
40 million visitors will pay their respects—
and maybe a chunk of their paycheques—to
Vegas this year.
Early April 2016 saw the launch of two
new MGM Resorts International projects,
The Park and the 20,000-seat T-Mobile
Arena, with more on the way. Then, short
weeks later, Vegas was welcomed into the
NHL fold by commissioner Gary Bettman.
The still-to-be-named team (the Knights,
Black Jacks, Sinners, Outlaws and Cut-
throats—after the state fish—are among the
possibilities) won't commence play until
the 2017–18 season, when it becomes the
league's 31
st
entry. The icemen will be the
prime tenants of the spanking new arena.
Vegas has had other pro teams in the
past—even a Canadian Football League
franchise known as the Posse if you
remember—but never a team in a league
like the NHL.
BY LARRY HUMBER
UPS ITS GAME
VEGAS
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT LAS VEGAS HAD NO MORE TO OFFER,
SURPRISE, SURPRISE, THE GAMBLING AND ENTERTAINMENT
MECCA HAS FOUND A COUPLE OF MORE CARDS TO PLAY,
AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH WILL SURELY APPEAL TO CANADIANS.
