Circa Gets The Square Thanks To Careful Pandemic Planning

This week, Circa Resort and Casino is set to open nearly its entire property. All areas, except the hotel rooms, will open on Wednesday, Oct. 28, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The hotel is slated to open on Dec. 28, as scheduled.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted both people and businesses. Several casino-resorts in Las Vegas were slated to launch this year. However, only Circa managed to hit its target of opening in 2020. The launch dates of both Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Resorts World have been postponed to 2021.

Circa phasing opening during pandemic

The Las Vegas casino sector has suffered greatly due to the coronavirus. Following enforced closures, these businesses are gradually resuming operations. The fact that Circa opened amidst a pandemic is indeed remarkable. Achieving the initial opening date required a great deal of innovation and imaginative problem-solving.

Due to pandemic-related delays and construction disruption, the opening plan of Circa Resort and Casino has changed. The property was set to be fully operational by December, but the coronavirus has turned this plan on its head.

Derek Stevens, the owner, chose to open Circa in phases rather than launching the whole property simultaneously in December. This week, the casino, bars, pool complex, and restaurants are operational. The hotel’s opening will proceed as initially scheduled in December.

The change in opening could be seen as a clever marketing strategy, but it was actually necessitated by circumstances. At the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in spring, Nevada casinos were hit, and Governor Steve Sisolak ordered non-essential businesses, including casinos and hotels, to close.

Steps Circa took to open amid the pandemic

When all other casinos in Nevada were mandated to close, Circa was not yet operational, so it wasn’t directly affected by the order. The major worry was to complete the construction of the first new casino in downtown Las Vegas since 1980.

In Nevada, construction workers are viewed as essential employees. This fact enabled construction teams to persist with their work at Circa. However, the alterations in capacity restrictions influenced the manner and location of their operations. Stevens had remarked on the shift in plans earlier this year:

Life often presents unexpected challenges, and 2020 has been a year full of uncertainties for everyone. Nonetheless, due to the innovative solutions from our associates at McCarthy Building Companies Inc. and Tré Builders, we are able to continue on this fast-paced journey and provide an opening like never before seen in Las Vegas. We are thrilled to anticipate what lies ahead, and to offer both tourists and residents a reason for celebration.

The limited capacity of elevators made working on the 44-story hotel tower challenging. As a result, the companies had to quickly adjust their strategy. They decided to prioritize and expedite the construction of the casino and its amenities located on the lower sections of the property.

The modification facilitated swift construction on Circa’s initial five floors due to the increased workforce in a confined space. This intense focus on a specific area of the property expedited Circa’s progress. Consequently, Circa’s casino is now scheduled to open two months ahead of the hotel.

While construction on the hotel tower continues, guests can still enjoy most of what the property has to offer.

What to expect at Circa

Nearly the entire Circa Resort and Casino is currently open, excluding the hotel tower. Offering an unmatched experience compared to other downtown Las Vegas casinos, Circa is replete with amenities. The following features are now available for guests at Circa to enjoy:

• All bars are open, except for Legacy Club.
• Casino with 1,350 slot machines and 55 table games.
• Pool (Includes six pools, gaming facilities, and a 40-foot tall video screen)
• Six different restaurants
• The Sportsbook boasts the largest video screen in the world for sportsbook.
• Ridesharing-optimized parking garage

Circa is launching at a time when casino operators are consistently introducing new technology. Although Stevens had already envisioned Circa to be tech-advanced, the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating this plan.

New technology at Circa

Often linked with billion-dollar casino corporations in Las Vegas, new technology is now being utilized by Stevens in his forward push. Circa is implementing some of this new technology to enhance its guest experience by ensuring a cleaner and more comfortable environment.

Visitors to Circa will immediately spot the state-of-the-art casino equipment. The dazzling display of 1,350 slot machines will definitely draw attention. The key feature of the casino will be the multilevel sportsbook boasting a colossal 78 million-pixel, high-definition screen. This enormous video wall is the largest found inside any sportsbook, thanks to its impressive length and width.

Visitors can expect to see 55 traditional table games and an additional 18 electronic ones, a ratio that surpasses that of most casinos in Las Vegas.

Like The D Las Vegas, another Stevens casino, Circa also provides cashless gaming. They utilize PlayOn’s cashless table game solution, enabling players to access funds directly at their chosen table game rather than needing to walk to an ATM for additional cash. Once the dealer sees the funds have been approved, they will give the chips to the player.

Circa will introduce a unique air circulation system, only previously witnessed at Aria, another Las Vegas casino. The system channels air into the casino via a raised floor, then forces it upwards rather than downwards, as is common in most casinos. This alternative air circulation method is not only more efficient for the casino, but also more effective in purifying the air for the benefit of guests.

Instead of pushing smoke down to the floor and around the casino, this system propels it up and away from guests. In today’s coronavirus world, facilitating easier breathing for guests with face coverings is of paramount importance.

Stadium Swim, the pool complex, operates all year round. It’s noteworthy that each pool will maintain a unique temperature. The highlight, though, could be the ultraviolet light sanitation and water-recirculation systems. These features are designed to reassure visitors about the hygiene standards of the fresh air rooftop pool area. The pools will not only self-clean, but also employ groundbreaking cleaning methods unheard of elsewhere in Las Vegas.

When the hotel Circa opens, it will offer mobile check-in and mobile key services, similar to the larger casinos in Las Vegas. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to utilize contactless services, providing them with mobile control over their stay at the property.