NORTH LAS VEGAS -- Final preparations are under way for the grand opening of the Aliante Station Casino.

The resort will open its doors to the public Tuesday night.

It will cater to the Aliante community.

Even with financial troubles looming, the company said it is confident it will make a significant impact.

The slot machines have been tested, and the rooms are ready.

Station Casinos is prepared to unveil the Aliante Station Casino and Hotel to the public. It is a $662 million resort, complete with a 16-screen movie theatre and intimate concert venue.

“Station casinos has been catering to local casinos for over 30 years,” said Lori Nelson, director of corporate communications for Station Casinos.

On the eve of the grand opening, Station Casinos posted a third-quarter net loss of $23.4 million.

Nelson said despite the economic downturn, the company is in for the long haul.

“We know that right now, if we give people a great product, and we give them great service, that when they do have the opportunity to have a good time, we hope they choose Aliante Station,” she said.

Keith Schwer, economics professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said the U.S. is officially in a recession.

Schwer said the U.S. won't see an economic recovery until at least 2010.

“This economic downturn will more likely be similar to what we experienced in the ‘70s or ‘80s. We should continue to see unemployment rates continue to rise,” Schwer said.

Nelson said in these tough times, the community needs a project like the Aliante Casino, a resort that will offer 1,400 locals much-needed jobs.

“A lot of people who lost their jobs came through our doors, and we really tried to accommodate them as much as possible,” Nelson said. “We are just operating as efficiently as possible and working as smart as we can. We're really just doing what every other company is doing, is tightening our belt where we can.”

Rooms start at $59.99 and are already booked for this weekend, with Smokey Robinson performing.

Aliante Station wants to eventually add a bowling alley, a bingo room and a second hotel tower.

There will be fireworks show at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Doors open to the public at 11 p.m.