Nugget renovating conference area

John Ascuaga's Nugget expects to complete a $1 million modernization of the property's conference center meeting area next month.

The Nugget is acting as its own general contractor on the work.

Among the subcontractors working on the job are Quality Carpets of Sparks, Nevada Lock Supply of Sparks, Action Electric of Reno, Lopiccolo Construction of Carson City, Gardner Mechanical Services of Reno and State Fire Protection of Reno.

The conference center will undergo a floor-to-ceiling renovation, said Michonne Ascuaga, the chief executive officer of John Ascuaga's Nugget.

Separately, John Ascuaga's Nugget has become the first major casino property in the United States to offer room bookings through LeisureLink Inc. of Pasadena, Calif.

LeisureLink's booking tool, ABetterStay.com, was launched to market vacation rentals and specialty lodging. It's previously taken on booking at boutique casinos internationally, and U.S. casinos mark a new market segment for the company.

Sherri McVey, director of leisure sales for John Ascuaga's Nugget, said the hotel-casino in Sparks hopes LeisureLink's experience with vacation lodging will provide a boost to the Nugget's sales to vacationers.