Clark County Slams Door On Paying F1 Paving Bill

The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is behind us and depending on who you are (and what business you own) you probably have a different "F" word to describe it. The race was a spectacle, a major financial boon for the county and a 9 month pain in the rear on the roads. Clark County has had plenty to say about the race. Now that they've run the numbers, they've decided they won't be paying for half of the F1 paving as was requested of them.

The county - in particular County Commissioner Tick Segerblom - has taken a very critical position towards the race in recent week. Segerblom went as far as to say the county never signed a deal for multiple races. They walked back that stance, but needless to say the relationship has been frosty. The insinuation is that the County hosts the race, not the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and F1. Therefore they should have a seat at the table.

One of the biggest question marks about the race was who would be footing the bill for the months-long paving project along the race route. You know, the months of orange cones and lane closures that annoyed us all? Well, back in June the race asked the county to foot half of the $80 million bill to pave the route. The county didn't say yes or no, but left that line item flapping in the wind. Well, the numbers are in and the county is saying "no thank you" to going dutch.

Commissioner Segerblom said the reimbursement is "off the table." Why? Because the county didn't get all of its money back.

There is a difference between "economic impact" and "actual money made." While the event had a major economic impact of an estimated $1.5 billion, the money the county itself made wasn't enough to cover staffing, only raising 89% of their total costs according to Clark County officials.

Considering discounted tickets to the actual race are starting at $350, chances are they could foot the bill themselves.

Let's not forget that the Vegas Golden Knights had to deal with the cones during their victory parade!

On Saturday, a sea of people twinkling gold, silver and black overtook the Las Vegas Strip in celebration of the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup Parade.

Over 100,000 people squished in the narrow streets of Las Vegas Boulevard with Toshiba Plaza reaching capacity before the parade even started.

It was a true celebration done with Las Vegas fanfare with some of the players getting noticeably inebriated during the parade.

We even got a treat from William Karlsson, who delivered one of the best drunk speeches of all time. It made no sense, yet the message was clear: They did it for the city, and they brought home the team's first-ever Stanley Cup.

Someone involved with the team tried to snatch the microphone from him a few times amid the post-parade rally, but they were unsuccessful. Finally, someone was able to quell his slurred speech of fiery happiness by confiscating the microphone.

During the parade, the busses of players, coaches, and family members crept past the eager crowd. People and players who were in the parade could be seen pouring shaken beers across the cacophony of people, allowing the gold liquid to explode among the crowd.

The Las Vegas Strip became packed to the brim with people, many of who were wearing their shiniest and brightest VGK gear. The buzzing chant of "GO KNIGHTS GO," could be heard throughout the parade route.

After the parade, the party continued in Toshiba Plaza. It was equally as chaotic and celebratory with the entire team displayed among the fortress stage.

Music blared, people cheered and the energy was colorful with celebration. People from Las Vegas and across the country were enjoying the few hours of the Vegas Golden Knights Parade and essentially party. The Strip was shut down and within those few hours, the city felt connected and together.

Bruce Cassidy spoke humble words saying that it was an honor to coach the team. Mark Stone's speech was filled with the emotional ups and downs that came with this win. Other players drunkenly gushed about how good winning the Cup felt while also thanking the fans.

As the streamers, confetti and lights flashed across Toshiba Plaza, this scene was an emblem of the true meaning behind this win: From the ashes of darkness, light and greatness will rise.

GO. KNIGHTS. GO.