Circa Gets The Square Thanks To Careful Pandemic Planning

The Circa Resort and Casino is poised to open nearly all its facilities this week. Despite the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, everything apart from the hotel rooms will be operational from Wednesday, Oct. 28. The hotel itself is set to open its doors on Dec. 28, as planned.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted both individuals and businesses. In Las Vegas, numerous casino-resorts were scheduled to launch this year. However, only Circa was able to meet its aim of opening in 2020. Both Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Resorts World have delayed their opening dates to 2021.

Circa phasing opening during pandemic

The Las Vegas casino sector has severely suffered due to the coronavirus. Following mandatory closure orders, these enterprises are gradually resuming operations. The inauguration of Circa amidst a pandemic is indeed remarkable. Achieving the initial launch date required ingenious and inventive strategies.

The opening of Circa Resort and Casino has been altered due to delays and construction disruptions caused by the pandemic. The property was set to fully open in December as per the original schedule. However, plans have been upended due to the coronavirus.

Owner Derek Stevens opted to open Circa in phases rather than opening the entire property all at once in December. This week, the casino, bars, pool complex, and restaurants are open. The hotel is set to open in December as initially planned.

The change in opening may be a brilliant marketing strategy, but it was born out of necessity. During the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in spring, Nevada casinos were affected. Governor Steve Sisolak ordered all non-essential businesses, including casinos and hotels, to shut down.

Steps Circa took to open amid the pandemic

When other Nevada casinos were ordered to close, Circa wasn’t yet open. This wasn’t a direct problem for the property. The main worry was completing the construction of the first new casino in downtown Las Vegas since 1980.

In Nevada, construction workers are deemed as essential employees. Consequently, this enabled construction teams at Circa to maintain their work schedule. Nonetheless, alterations in capacity limits influenced the logistics and location of the work. Earlier in the year, Stevens shared his thoughts on the shift in plans:

There are moments in life when unexpected challenges occur, and 2020 has certainly been such a year for us all globally. However, the inventive solutions from our collaborators at McCarthy Building Companies Inc. and Tré Builders have enabled us to progress on this fast-paced journey and prepare for a grand opening that Las Vegas has never seen before. We eagerly anticipate the future and look forward to providing both tourists and residents a reason to rejoice.

The capacity limits of the elevators posed a challenge to the work on the 44-floor hotel tower, necessitating the companies to swiftly alter their approach. The revised strategy involved prioritizing the construction of the casino and its associated facilities on the property’s lower section.

This modification facilitated swift construction on the initial five floors of Circa, as it enabled more personnel to work in a condensed space. Due to the concentrated focus on this section of the property, progress at Circa was significantly expedited. Consequently, Circa’s casino is now set to launch two months prior to the hotel.

While the hotel tower is under construction, guests will still be able to enjoy most of the property’s amenities.

What to expect at Circa

Nearly all sections of Circa Resort and Casino are now open, except for the hotel tower. Circa offers a unique experience that stands out among other downtown Las Vegas casinos. The property boasts a wealth of amenities. Now, visitors at Circa can enjoy the following:

• 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)
• Restaurants (six different eateries)
• The Sportsbook boasts the largest video screen for sports betting in the world.
• Ridesharing-optimized parking garage

Circa is launching at a time when casino operators are consistently introducing new technology. Stevens had already envisioned Circa as a tech-forward establishment, but the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating this approach.

New technology at Circa

New technology is frequently linked to the billion-dollar casino corporations in Las Vegas. Stevens is advancing by adopting some of this technology. Circa is implementing some of this innovative technology to enhance the cleanliness and comfort of their guest experience.

Upon their first visit to Circa, guests will be greeted by the most current and impressive casino equipment. The 1,350 vibrant slot machines are sure to grab their attention. The casino’s main attraction will be the multilevel sportsbook, boasting a massive 78 million-pixel, high-definition screen. With its impressive scale, it stands as the largest video wall within any sportsbook.

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

Like its sister property, The D Las Vegas, Circa also provides cashless gaming by employing PlayOn’s cashless table game solution. This system enables players to access their funds directly at their chosen table game, eliminating the need to visit an ATM. Once the dealer confirms the fund’s approval, the player is then given their chips.

Circa is set to implement a unique air circulation system, previously only featured at another Las Vegas casino, Aria. This innovative system introduces air into the casino via a raised floor, where the fresh air is directed upwards instead of downwards as is typical in most casinos. This alternative air circulation method not only enhances the casino’s efficiency but also ensures better air quality for guests.

In today’s world, where coronavirus is prevalent, it’s crucial to make breathing easier for guests wearing face masks. Therefore, this system is designed to push smoke upwards, away from guests, instead of downwards towards the floor and around the casino.

Stadium Swim, the pool complex, operates all year round. Each pool will maintain a unique temperature. The highlight, however, may be the ultraviolet light sanitation and water-recirculation methods. These features are designed to reassure visitors about the hygiene of the fresh air rooftop pool space. These self-cleaning pools will not only maintain their own cleanliness, but they will also introduce novel cleaning methods not found elsewhere in Las Vegas.

When the hotel Circa opens, it will offer mobile check-in and mobile keys similar to the larger Las Vegas casinos. Guests will also have access to contactless services, granting them mobile control over their stay at the property.