The Tropicana, a Las Vegas Strip icon, announces it’s closing its doors

LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) - Just shy of its 67th anniversary as a fixture on the Las Vegas Strip, the Tropicana is preparing to close its doors for good.

It was announced the Tropicana would be demolished to make way for a new ballpark for the Athletics.

The Tropicana will cease operations on April 2. It is not known how soon after they close their doors will the demolition happen, or if it will be surrounded with any fanfare.

The Tropicana opened on April 4, 1957. At the time, it was the most expensive property on the Strip at $15 million. It was even featured in Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas. However, it began to struggle in the 1970s and lost much of its luster when compared to newer, larger projects.

The Bally’s Corporation said on Monday it is moving forward with the development of the property for a “state-of-the-art integrated resort and ballpark.” In a press release, Bally’s said it looks forward to creating a ballpark that will serve as a new Strip landmark.

“This is an exciting next chapter for Bally’s, and we are honored to be a key partner with the Athletics on bringing a Major League ballpark to the great city of Las Vegas,” Bally’s President George Papanier said.

After its demolition, nine acres will be contributed to the construction of a 30,000-seat ballpark. Bally’s said the final plans for the stadium are being finalized but did not indicate when they might be ready to reveal.

In May, shortly after the announcement of the brand’s partnership with the A’s, Papanier said Tropicana would remain open for between 18 and 24 months. Monday’s announcement significantly cuts the timeline.

The closure will affect nearly 500 workers, a majority of whom are part of the Culinary Union.

On Monday afternoon, Ted Pappageorge with the union addressed questions on what the next steps would be for the workers.

Pappageorge said they were preparing for the closure but did not expect it to happen so soon, though they were prepared.

“We knew it was happening, but the reality is construction schedules change all the time, deals change all the time, whether it comes to buying or selling on these projects, the truth is we have to be prepared,” Pappageorge said.

Pappageorge said workers will get paid $2,000 per service year in a severance package, along with six months of free health care. To be eligible for this, employees would have to work until the very last day.

Another option for those who choose to not take the severance package is to get paid up to $15,000 and have the opportunity to work in the new property.

No word yet on what Bally’s has planned for the hotel’s staff. Leaders of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 will address that topic Monday afternoon.