Who would have thought that competition for Station Casinos in Las Vegas could come from somewhere other than a competing casino operator like Boyd Gaming. Well, this is precisely what seems to be the case now that Station has unveiled a series of costly renovations to their Santa Fe Casino Resort on North Rancho Road, Nevada. The Santa Fe, which is located just a couple miles north of Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho - two Station Casinos properties - could end up competing against itself if growth in the northwest valley comes to a halt.

This does not seem like it will be the case, however. According to the financial consulting firm, Applied Analysis, the casino growth pattern in the northwest valley has been following the growth pattern of the residential base in the area. The fact that Santa Fe Casino could not keep up with the rising demand in the first place is why it became outdated and was left behind in the Las Vegas dust. Station Casinos purchased it from Sahara Casino Partners in 2000 with a moderate $71 million renovation plan in mind, which then evolved into a $182 million ground up renovation.

The new Santa Fe Casino, which sits upon thirty-eight acres of prime real estate, now boasts two parking garages with over 5,000 spaces, a remodeled 60-lane bowling alley, a sixteen screen cinema complex, additional restaurants (including an additional two more and an entertainment lounge in early 2007), a new state-of-the-art 259-seat sportsbook and expanded casino floor space which now houses 2,900 slot machines, a twelve table poker room and about forty table games. Also on the $458 million budget (which includes the $205 million property purchase) was a brand new ice skating rink, now relocated to Stations Fiesta Casino and Resort.

Despite warnings by some gaming research analysts that Station could be receiving financial strain from extra competition, including their soon-to-be-opened Aliante Station in February, 2007 and Boyd Gaming's planned North Coast Casino in Northern Las Vegas, Station is not flinching. Devoted players at Santa Fe have already expressed their allegiance to the casino, even though Aliante Station will be in closer proximity to their homes. The renovations have apparently left a sweet flavor in the mouths of many Las Vegas locals who appreciate the time and money that Station Casinos has put into bringing gambling and family entertainment to Nevada.