The Mesquite Star opened on July 1, 1998, although owner NevStar Gaming faced further financial problems and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 1999.
It reopened on October 1, 2016, as the Rising Star, a non-gaming hotel resort that also serves as a facility for sports training and competitions.
[4] NevStar Gaming & Entertainment Corporation, the project owner, intended to launch an initial public offering (IPO) during 1996, but the company cancelled such plans because of low investor demand.
[2] By the end of 1996, Hawaii businessman Richard Kelley had provided approximately $5 million in bridge financing to help the project while NevStar prepared for an IPO, expected for the first quarter of 1997.
[7][5] Nevada real estate developer Richard Tam, a business partner of Kelley, was also an investor in the Mesquite Star.
[12] That month, the Nevada Gaming Control Board deferred approval of the project, citing NevStar's limited financial reserves.
The control board was concerned about the possibility of the hotel-casino entering bankruptcy shortly after its opening, an event that had been scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.
The facility included a 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) casino with table games and 452 slot machines, and 210 hotel rooms affiliated with Best Western.
[3] The Mesquite Star was intended to capitalize on local residents and middle-income customers travelling along Interstate 15,[7][8] which ran alongside the resort.
[17] On March 3, 2000, Randy Black Sr. was chosen by a court to operate the Mesquite Star on behalf of its creditors during the foreclosure process.
Black said that nearly every item in the Mesquite Star was leased, "from slot machines and table games in the casino to beds, chairs and linen in the hotel.
[28] Virgin River Casino Corporation, a company owned by Black, purchased NevStar's $5.4 million debt with its primary creditor, First Credit.
Construction had won court approval to proceed with a sheriff's sale of the Mesquite Star, in order to collect the debt that it was owed.
The acquisition would include vacant land that would be developed as a second phase, consisting of a 210-room hotel tower and a 300-pad RV park, both expected to be finished by the fourth quarter of 2000.
[31] Sale negotiations with AmeriResource broke down in June 2000, and the creditors resumed separate, competing efforts to auction the Mesquite Star.
[29] A foreclosure sale of the Mesquite Star had been scheduled for July 2000, but it was postponed hours prior, due to a motion filed on behalf of approximately 100 former employees.
Construction, and Kelley – were involved in a court battle to determine which of them would be prioritized for debt payment, following the eventual sale of the Mesquite Star.
[35] Black said in January 2001 that he did not have a clear timetable for reopening the Mesquite Star because of ongoing financial problems associated with it, including foreclosure issues, and liens that had been placed on nearly every item inside the facility.
[41] In December 2012, Virgin River Casino Corporation planned to sell the closed facility and property to Pilot Flying J, which intended to open a travel center on the land.
At a city council public hearing, a majority of the residents in attendance expressed opposition to the proposed site for the travel center, voicing concerns that it would increase traffic in an area that was already busy.
[42][43] Intentions to open a travel center at the proposed location were cancelled in January 2013, when Pilot Flying J decided not to purchase the property.
"[46] A team of sports-related advisors – including coaches, trainers and camp directors – was created to inform the owners what they would want in a sports-themed resort.
Andre Carrier, the chief operating officer of the new resort, said the intention was to create a property that would benefit from the abundance of sports facilities in the area.
[47][53] Lee described the Rising Star as a sports facility for training and competition, and a vacation resort for people travelling with athletes.
[50][54][55] A lighted grass field is located on-site, and it provides playing space for games such as football, lacrosse, and soccer.
[55] The Rising Star has several technologically advanced features,[49] including room-service robots that have a pre-programmed map of the hotel and can deliver items to guests.
As a hotel without a casino, the Rising Star became popular as a suitable, non-gaming alternative for underage guests who were participating in local youth-sporting events.
[47] The Rising Star has hosted numerous sports events,[54][60][61] including some with groups such as Nike and the Utah Youth Soccer Association.
[56] The Nevada Desert Dogs played basketball games at The Barn during 2018,[56][62][63] and the UNLV Runnin' Rebels also stayed and practiced at the resort.