Owners of Dollywood, Ripley’s are interested in Virginia Aquarium, but foundation not on board
VIRGINIA BEACH — Two major entertainment companies are interested in taking over operations of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, but the nonprofit group that maintains the animals is not yet embracing the idea.
The owners of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Dollywood responded to a city request last fall seeking information from “interested organizations related to operating, leasing and/or the purchase of the Aquarium.” The City Council decided last year to explore the option of turning over the aquarium to a private entity after learning the tanks that hold the animals are deteriorating and will cost millions to repair.
The council discussed possible options Tuesday while acknowledging concerns raised by the Virginia Aquarium Foundation, which owns the animals.
By looking into alternative facility ownership or operators, the city created turmoil among foundation members and aquarium staff, according to foundation Chair Dan Peterson.
“The Foundation believes Council should not take any direction towards possible privatization until you have heard from our board, the thousands of current Aquarium members and donors, and the public,” Peterson wrote in a Monday letter sent to council.
He also said several employees have left the aquarium due to the uncertainty of its future.
Peterson’s letter was referenced by several council members during Tuesday’s meeting and City Manager Patrick Duhaney said he’s concerned the aquarium could lose more staff while its future’s in limbo. He recommended the city continue engaging the interested firms to figure out what kind of offer can be brought forward while communicating with the foundation. The council agreed.
The city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau owns and maintains the aquarium’s buildings and ground and provides administrative support for the facility’s accounting and human resources divisions. The foundation procures and maintains the aquarium’s collections, including its fish and animals, habitats and interactive exhibits. The foundation also is responsible for fundraising, the Stranding Response Program, conservation, scientific research efforts and education programs.
Virginia Aquarium, which opened 1986, is the third-most visited attraction in the state behind Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens theme parks. It holds 650,000 gallons of water in exhibits and has more than 250 species — including mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles.
The interested companies each has aquarium experience. Ripley’s owns three aquariums, including one in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and would be open to exploring a partnership with a nonprofit, according to the city.
Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed attractions company in the U.S., owns three aquariums, including its most recent purchase in 2021 of the Vancouver Aquarium. The company has partnership experience with a nonprofit on stranding and rescue efforts. Herschend Family Entertainment and country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton also own Dollywood, an amusement park in Tennessee.
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This is not the first time a Dollywood entity has eyed an attraction in Virginia Beach. In 1993, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Productions proposed Dixie Stampede in the 90,000-square-foot venue at the dome site. The Civil War-themed dinner show faced opposition from local civic leaders, and the company pulled out of Virginia Beach.
While the aquarium’s economic impact overall is good for Virginia Beach, it costs more to operate the facility than it brings in. The city allocates roughly $2 million each fiscal year for aquarium capital improvements and subsidizes operations with roughly $7.4 million a year.
In the past three years, the city and the foundation have invested $47.9 million for three aquarium projects, including the recent expansion of the south building.
More major renovations and an expansion of the main building are on the horizon, with cost estimates ranging between $50 to $200 million depending on the scope of work.
A recent city survey concluded that storm water flood prevention projects and school improvements rank higher in terms of priorities for residents.
Councilman Chris Taylor recommended gathering public feedback on the aquarium’s future as was done for Rudee Loop Park. He also suggested the City Council consider using $60 million earmarked for the park to address aquarium renovations.
“Rudee Loop will not produce any revenue unless you’re going to add retail to it,” Taylor said.
Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson said she preferred Herschend and wants the city to send a delegation to the company’s aquariums to see how they operate.
Councilwoman Amelia Ross-Hammond said she wants more input from the foundation before taking another step.
“Both groups that we had were very impressive, but they’re from somewhere else,” she said. “This is our city; we need to give more balance to it all.”
Councilwoman Barbara Henley also cautioned against making any decisions without foundation support.
“I don’t think this body can make a next step decision unless we are also at the table with the foundation,” Henley said. “If they aren’t willing to go forward with a third party, there’s no deal.”
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
