46 in region to receive state tourism award

Forty-six businesses and organizations in northern Nevada will be among the 100 statewide to receive the state Tourism Development Award.

The award, which recognizes new, enlarged or renovated facilities that serve visitors,will be presented during the Governor's Conference on Tourism in Reno next week.

Recipients of the award will be honored during a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Dec.

7 at the Reno Hilton.

"Each project represents a milestone of achievement for the award recipients,whether they're major resort hotels or small shops," said Bruce Bommarito, executive director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism.

"The better our tourism product, the more visitors we can attract, and it's up to businesses like these to help sustain Nevada's place among the world's most desirable destinations."

Northern Nevada's winners of Tourism Development Awards Reno

* Atlantis Casino Resort:Renovated the ballroom in early 2004 including new carpeting, lighting and a new ceiling

* Boomtown Casino & Hotel: New Starbucks Coffee Outlet

* El Dorado Hotel Casino: Renovated hotel tower, added cabaret, new high-limit slot area

* Harrah's Reno Casino-Hotel: Opened new Bingo Hall, original game that Harrah's opened in 1937

* The Lear Theater: Renovation and update

* VSA Arts: Moved the historic Lake Mansion to new site downtown

* The Brew House: Opened new pub and grill

* Peppermill Hotel Casino: Oceano Casino expansion (a new seafood restaurant, oyster and sushi bar)

* Reno-Stead Airport: Expanded/rebuilt runway 9,000 feet and added new pilots lounge

* Residence Inn by Marriott Reno: Provides free high-speed Internet access in its 120 guest rooms

* Sierra Arts, Metro Gallery: Opened a new location at Reno City Hall Carson City

* Comstock Casino: New casino

* Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Opened hotel with 85 rooms.

including 21 suites, indoor pool and spa, meeting and fitness rooms

* Nevada State Railroad Museum: Constructing new passenger platform Minden

* Carson Valley Inn: Reopened Katie's Country Kitchen Restaurant Gardnerville

* Coyote Grill: New restaurant Virginia City

* Historic Fourth Ward School Foundation: Reconstructing the tower water closets and balcony walkways Sparks

* Holder Hospitality Group: Purchased two historic casinos in Elko and Spring Creek

* John Ascuaga's Nugget: First Reno-area hotel to have totally wireless high speed access in all hotel rooms, lobby, pool area and restaurants

* Wild Island Family Adventure Park: Two new water park slides, Eye of the Dragon and Dragons Tail for 2005 Lake Tahoe area

* Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe: Opened two new lifts, added 200 acres of new terrain and new chutes

* Harveys Resort & Casino, Stateline: Opened Cabo Wabo restaurant

* Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino, Crystal Bay: Opened Conrad's barbecue and grill restaurant

* The Championship course at Incline, Incline Village: Completed golf course and chateau clubhouse/banquet facility Dayton

* Dayton Museum Historical Society: Completed first step in obtaining the Dayton Depot of the historic C & C Railroad for rehabilitation and preservation Elko

* Red Lion Inn & Casino: New Starbucks coffee store Ely

* COMP- Community Owned Mercantile Project Inc., Ely; Garnet Mercantile opened in November.

* White Pine Museum: New addition and added prehistoric cave bear Fallon

* Angelos Italian Restaurant: New restaurant opened

* Churchill County Museum Association Store: Opened.

* Oats Park Art Center,: Classroom Gallery opened

* Panderia Azteca Bakery: Bakery opened Hawthorne

* Whiskey Flats RV Park: RV park opened Hazen

* Gateway Antiques & Gifts:Renovated and opened antique store, local artists, visitor center for Churchill County Lovelock

* Lazy K Campground, Lovelock; reopened McDermitt

* Desert Inn casino, Diamond A Motel: Illysa Fogel bought and renovated two motels, bar and casino Mountain City

* Mountain City Visitor Center: Changed some of the displays and added some new pictures