1 October Memorial Project Budget Lowered to $34 Million

Organizers share updates on fundraising progress and construction timeline for Las Vegas memorial site.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 9:03pm

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The organizers of the 1 October memorial in Las Vegas have announced that the project budget has been lowered to around $34 million, down from the previous estimate of $40 million. So far, the Vegas Strong Fund has raised over $22 million for the memorial, including donations from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Clark County, MGM Resorts International, and the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. The groundbreaking for the memorial is on track for October 1, 2026, and the project will be built in phases.

Why it matters

The 1 October memorial will serve as a permanent tribute to the 58 lives lost during the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas. The memorial's development has been a significant undertaking for the community, and the updated budget and fundraising progress represent important milestones in bringing the project to fruition.

The details

The 1 October memorial will be located on a two-acre site on Las Vegas Boulevard, the site of the tragic shooting. Organizers have lowered the project's estimated budget from $40 million to around $34 million. So far, the Vegas Strong Fund has raised over $22 million, including $5 million from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, $10 million from Clark County, a $5 million pledge from MGM Resorts International, and $1 million from the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, as well as more than $1 million in community donations.

  • The groundbreaking for the 1 October memorial is on track for October 1, 2026.
  • The memorial will be built in phases.

The players

Vegas Strong Fund

A nonprofit organization leading the development of the 1 October memorial in Las Vegas.

Kelly McMahill

A board member with the Vegas Strong Fund.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

A government agency that has pledged $5 million towards the 1 October memorial.

Clark County

The local government entity that has contributed $10 million to the 1 October memorial project.

MGM Resorts International

A major hotel and casino company that has pledged $5 million and donated the two-acre memorial site.

Vegas Golden Knights Foundation

The charitable arm of the Vegas Golden Knights professional hockey team, which has pledged $1 million to the 1 October memorial.

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What they’re saying

“The groundbreaking for the project is on track for Oct. 1, 2026 and will be built in phases.”

— Kelly McMahill, Board member, Vegas Strong Fund

What’s next

The Vegas Strong Fund will continue fundraising efforts to reach the $34 million budget for the 1 October memorial, with the goal of breaking ground on the project by October 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The 1 October memorial in Las Vegas represents the community's commitment to honoring the victims of the 2017 shooting and building a lasting tribute. The progress made on the project's budget and timeline demonstrates the dedication of organizers and donors to see this important memorial come to fruition.