Stratosphere to open ‘Roller’ Disco?
It seems that the Stratosphere is finalising plans for the replacement of its record-breaking roller coaster High Roller, which shut last December. It was initially thought that the coaster would be replaced by a newer and supposedly ‘scarier’ ride, in keeping with the hotel’s other thrill rides atop their hundred-story complex. However, it now appears that a nightclub opening might be on the cards instead.
The Stratosphere are approaching the Las Vegas planning commission about building a 6,880-square-foot nightclub some 900 feet above the streets of the gambling city. Plans for the club include a revolving outside observation deck. A spokesman for the hotel said that it would become the “most spectacular nightclub in Las Vegas”, although no official designs have been proposed as of yet.
The High Roller, which the nightclub would replace, was the country’s highest coaster, and stood 909 feet above the ground. Having opened in 1996, it attracted around 4 million visitors before it’s closure nearly 6 months ago. Since then, workers have been removing the 840-foot track during the evenings. This leaves only three rides on top of the Stratosphere Tower- The Big Shot, X Scream and the more recently opened Insanity ride, all of which cost $8 per ride.
Insanity, the newest of the three rides, opened in March of 2005, was seen by many as the signal for High Roller to close. With its stunning location nearly 1000 foot above the ground, Insanity takes you 65 feet away from the edge of the building, leaving you gasping, as the same suggests, at the sheer Insanity of the drop to the ground below you. Even with Insanity opening as bigger and better version of High Roller, it was still expected that another ride would replace it after its closure. Instead, the nightclub plan seems to be preferred choice, and could be seen as another part of Stratosphere’s program of change. The owners of the Stratosphere, American Casino Entertainment properties, have already announced a number of plans for the complex. These include the casino being renovated and the construction of an extra hotel tower. There will also be an improvement in entertainment offerings, with the nightclub plan being the latest proposal. Whether the nightclub plan goes ahead or another ride is built remains to be seen, but it is certain that whatever goes in place of the High Roller, it will be thrilling, innovative, and very high up!