John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort

John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort is a casino resort/hotel in Sparks, Nevada. The main portion of the casino consists of two 29-story towers nestled between Interstate 80 and the Union Pacific rail yard. There are additional attached buildings underneath and across Interstate 80 from the towers. It is located in Downtown Sparks/Victorian Square.

Dick Graves' Nugget first opened in 1955. (Jim Kelly opened the Nugget in Carson City, Nevada.) In 1960, John Ascuaga, then general manager, bought the Nugget. Ascuaga had little money when he purchased the small venue so he paid via loan, which he paid back in full within the amount of years granted. Ascuaga earned money from the success of his business, which led him to expand, over and over again throughout the 60's and 70's. The Celebrity Showroom, first known as the Circus Room, was constructed in the 60's and played host to big name entertainment like Liberace, The Osmond Brothers, Robert Goulet and more. John Ascuaga had become a popular figure with these stars and certainly a professional in his career, the Nugget was widely seen as the jewel of the area. Ascuaga made more money as time went on and he signed a check for over $30 million to build the first hotel tower in 1982, construction began shortly thereafter and was completed December 26, 1984. Ascuaga deemed it one more Christmas present to the community and also deemed it an "exclamation point in the sky." Although he had enough money for the tower, he wasn't so sure it would be a success. It was, indeed, and launched the Nugget into further stardom.

The Nugget's primary attraction from the 80's to late 90's was Bertha the Elephant and her baby, Tina, who entertained in the Circus Room many a time. They were also favorite attractions at the annual Nevada Day parade in Carson City. Bertha died in the late 90's after being with the Ascuaga family for over 10 years.

In 1995 John Ascuaga announced that a 2nd tower would be built, it would cost $75 million. Ascuaga designed it with local mastermind architect Peter Wilday whose works include the Atlantis, Peppermill. The tower opened along with a new restaurant and hotel lobby on December 26, 1996. That was the last major expansion done by the Nugget. In 1997, Ascuaga's daughter Michonne took over as CEO and she now runs the hotel and casino along with her brother Stephen, who will inherit the hotel from Ascuaga. The two say they will keep the business in the family and continue to make reinvestments. They say there's no need for more hotel rooms. The hotel's original tower was remodeled entirely at a cost of $17 million, the new rooms feature all the modern appointments like 42" LCD screens, plush bedding and carpet and more. The Circus Room, remodeled and renamed the Celebrity Showroom in the late 80's still entertains audiences with contemporary and classic performers from yesteryear. The Nugget still is one of the most profitable hotels in the area and keeps its net profits high. The hotel is accredited for the special events it puts on, like the annual Nugget Rib Cook Off held in September where cookers come from all over the country to Star-Spangled Sparks on July 4th, the largest fireworks show in Northern Nevada after New Years Eve in Downtown Reno.

Food options remain farm to table as the Ascuaga's raise their own meat and bake their own breads. The Nugget has made its mark on the community and isn't going anywhere anytime soon

See also

• Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off
• Vagos Motorcycle Club

A couple of corrections about the elephants formerly at the Nugget. Bertha's child (tha baby elephant) is named Angel, not Tina. Bertha did not die, both Bertha and Angel were retired to a elephant sanctuary so the section of the Nugget property where the elephant house stood could be used for expansion.

External links

• John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort
• Hard Work And Family Key To John Ascuaga’s Nugget