City of Las Vegas ventures win recognition at conference

Las Vegas' alternative fuel program and an innovative community center won recognition Thursday at an international conference in London.

The World Leadership Forum also recognized Las Vegas as American City of the Year.

"Clean sweep. Grand slam," Mayor Oscar Goodman said, noting that the city won in every category in which it was nominated. "When I talk about world-class now, I can say it with a straight face and true belief. We're certified."

The World Leadership Forum, a nonprofit that highlights leadership and innovation in business, policymaking and science, bestows the World Leadership Awards each year.

This year more than 400 cities around the world competed in several categories.

Las Vegas' Centennial Hills community center won in the Leisure and Sport category. The center combines many public uses in one location. In addition to a 53-acre park, community center and indoor and outdoor pools, it has a fire station, a library under construction and room for a police substation.

In the transportation category, Las Vegas' alternative fuels program took top honors.

That program started in 1993. Last year, the city had almost 1,000 vehicles operating on various fuels, including compressed natural gas, biodiesel, reformulated gasoline, hydrogen and hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas. In 2002, the city installed a hydrogen energy station on city property.

The city of the year awards were given regionally to cities in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa. The awards recognized leadership and overcoming obstacles, but specific comments on the winners weren't available Thursday.