Sen. Thomas K. “Tommy” Norment Jr., R-James City, decried Gov. Ralph Northam’s decision denying a waiver for theme parks such as Busch Gardens and Water Country USA that would allow them to reopen in Phase 3 with more than 1,000 attendees.
In a letter to the Northam on Thursday, Norment suggested that the decision is “myopic” and “devastating” because of the economic consequences to tourism in the Historic Triangle. Norment noted in the letter that about 43% of tourists to the area visit Busch Gardens and the decision keeping the parks closed results in keeping about 4,000 unemployed.
Norment supports a plan proposed by Kevin Lembke, president of Busch Gardens and Water County USA, allowing attendance of 5,000-7,000. Lembke told the James City County Board of Supervisors recently that allowing only 1,000 — the maximum allowed by the state for entertainment venues in Phase 3 — is not an economically sustainable model.
Norment addressed COVID-19 concerns in the letter by pointing out that 5,000 at Busch Gardens (capacity 24,000) is only 20.8% density. He added that the park “has an incredibly detailed reopening plan outlining extraordinary safety precautions.”
While noting that visitors put “heads in beds” and “seats in restaurants” that boost local tax revenues and employment, Norment wrote of a constituent with a hotel whose occupancy is normally 100% this time of year. He wrote that the client’s occupancy for May was 10% and that just 34 of 120 rooms were rented recently weekend at one property.
“Your decision is causing our local economy to hemorrhage,” Norment wrote in the letter.
Northam said “these decisions are tough” upon announcing Phase 3 guidelines that were made following discussions with the health department and epidemiologists. Calls to the governor’s office were not immediately returned Monday.
Jeff Ryer, Norment’s press secretary, said Monday the governor has not responded to the letter.
“Regrettably, the governor’s lack of a response has become somewhat typical throughout this year and throughout this situation,” Ryer said. “So, it’s not exceptional he has not responded, but in this particular case, it’s disappointing.
“There’s a tremendous number of jobs that are on the line and we’re watching as other states are opening similar facilities to Busch Gardens and we’re not. It’s clear from the senator’s letter that we have the capacity to do so and, more importantly, that Busch has a plan.”
