South Shore's Horizon Casino Resort to Close April 1

An era comes to an end on April 1 when the Horizon Casino Resort on the south shore of Lake Tahoe closes for renovations.

The resort was the one time local showcase of Elvis Presley and Liberace when the casino operated as Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe. In 1990 Del Webb sold the property to Kentucky based Columbia Sussex Corporation for $19 million.

Columbia Sussex owners, the Yung family, are the current operators under the corporate name, LV Casino LLC. Their lease ran out and long time Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley ranchers, the Park family, will take control after March 31.

Jon and David Park recently split from family owned Edgewood Companies to run cattle operations and the casino resort. They have hired Warner Gaming out of Las Vegas to run the casino operations. Warner currently operates the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas and Sioux City a well as Indian gaming locations in Washington and New Mexico. They will also be operating the Buenavue Casino in Ione.

What the property theme/look will be has yet to be released.

According to a news release, current employees will have the opportunity to meet with Nevada Job Connect regarding resources, training and other employment opportunities in the region. In the coming weeks, an updated timeline regarding the renovation and reopening of the Horizon Casino Resort will be released.

“I could not be more excited to be joining forces with the Park family, and helping to usher in the next chapter of this property’s history,” Bill Warner, president of Warner Gaming, said. “We look forward to the transition process over the coming months.”