Las Vegas visitors plan to witness historic Tropicana implosion

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Tropicana’s impending implosion is the hottest ticket in town.

People rushed to try to find a nearby hotel room with a view of the night of the implosion, but several others planned to come to Las Vegas well before the demonstration date was set. Now that they’re here, they’ll do their best to get a glimpse of the story.

“We were lucky with the timing, to be there during the implosion,” Alice Bertolacini said.

She and her husband Mark are originally from Southern California but are longtime Las Vegas fans. On Sunday, they said goodbye to the first hotel Alice played in in the 1990s.

“I have a work event, and it’s right around the time of the implosion,” Alice said.

“That’s great for me,” Mark said with a laugh. “I can be there around 2 or 2:30 in the morning to witness the implosion and the spectacle they will get from it.”

Jack and Corey Brady, and Terry and Dakota Baldwin are all visiting from Tennessee and are in this together.

“It’s something we’ll all remember,” Corey Brady said.

The group didn’t appear to have a specific location in mind, but said they were going to try to make the most of the coincidence and try to find a good vantage point Tuesday night.

“We’re going to get as close as possible!” » said Dakota Baldwin.

But it’s going to be difficult. Authorities say there will be no designated public area to observe the implosion for safety reasons.

There will also be several significant road closures around the Tropicana site, starting Tuesday evening around 11 p.m., with uniformed Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers patrolling around the closures to prevent people from entering. A map of LVMPD closures can be viewed here.

Roads will be closed around the Tropicana demolition site to protect public safety. The general boundaries are Mandalay Bay Rd to the south, Park Ave to the north, Koval Ln to the east, and Frank Sinatra Dr to the west. Reno Ave, from Frank Sinatra Dr to Koval Ln, will also… pic.twitter.com/btjupJk0YY

– LVMPD (@LVMPD) October 4, 2024

When the explosives ignite at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, the two Tropicana Towers will turn into a pile of rubble, and Metro says the road closures should be lifted by 6 a.m.

“It’s sad, it can be used for something else, I’m sure, and something will fit in its place,” Corey Brady said, looking at the bones of the Tropicana.

It’s a sentiment shared by the Bertolacinis.

“It’s a little sad to see, but we know something bigger and better is coming,” Alice Bertolacini said.

“Sorry to see this go, but we’re looking forward to maybe seeing a new ballpark and a new hotel,” Mark Bertolacini said.