Reno’s Peppermill Casino turns green

While a number of gambling venues have delayed or cut back expansion plans during the recession, Reno’s Peppermill Resort Spa Casino has invested $8.1 million in a green initiative, converting to clean, renewable geothermal energy.

The aptly named Steamboat area south of Reno is known for geothermal activity. It’s where utility Sierra Pacific Power Co. has a geothermal operation and, years ago, several motels featured room heating with geothermal.

The Peppermill drilled a 4,400-foot well to harness geothermal energy that by January will heat 100 percent of the resort’s water and provide internal building heating. Traditional systems will be kept as back-up, said Amy T. Riley, Peppermill communication specialist.

The well water is the correct temperature to be captured and converted to energy through a closed loop system then returned to the earth via a reinjection well.

“No one else has a geothermal well of this depth in the city of Reno,” Peppermill facilities director Dean Parker said.

Spa Toscana's charity birthday benefit

The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is celebrating the one-year anniversary opening of its Spa Toscana, with a benefit for the Northern Nevada Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer charity.

The Nov. 2 “Power of Pink” celebration spa includes appetizers, pink cocktails, a silent auction and spa giveaways, with 100 percent of the proceeds to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“With Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, it seemed a natural fit to pair with a cause that positively impacts so many women in our community,” spa director of operations Arzu Delp said.

The cost to attend the event in the Spa Toscana caldarium is $50 a person. The spa is also promoting a “Pretty in Pink Package” through Dec. 31 offering a petite massage and facial and 50-minute pedicure for $200. Ten percent of each package sold in October, November and December will benefit the Northern Nevada Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Spa Toscana, open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily inside the Peppermill, serves men and women with 24 treatment rooms on three floors with an old-world Tuscan-inspired theme and Roman baths.

Attendees Monday night can tour the spa, bid on silent auction and raffle prizes, have mini hand and nail treatments and receive a gift bag.

For more information, visit www.SpaToscana.com.