Latest news with #VirginiaAquarium
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Virginia Aquarium major exhibits in need of urgent upgrades, assessment shows
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The one of the state's biggest attractions, is in urgent need of upgrades, according to a recent assessment presented to the Virginia Beach City Council. That assessment determined the useful life of major exhibits at the Virginia Aquarium, including the Seal Tank, Turtle Tank and Shark Tank. These three exhibits are 30 years old. It was determined these exhibits have reached their life expectancy, necessitating immediate repairs to extend their usability. The assessment revealed that approximately $10 million in repairs could extend the life of the aquarium's exhibits by 8 to 10 years. This funding would be jointly provided by the city and the The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a collaboration between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The City of Virginia Beach owns and maintains the Aquarium's buildings and grounds. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's collections, including its fish and animals. Virginia Aquarium now charging for parking In addition to the temporary fixes, a long-term solution involves constructing a new building, which could take up to seven years to complete. The report stresses the urgency of securing funding for the immediate repairs to ensure the exhibits remain operational during this period. There were three separate studies conducted. The interior infrastructure study was facilitated by the Virginia Aquarium Foundation and focused on the conditions of the Seal, Shark and Turtle habitats. An exterior infrastructure study led by Moseley Architects with Thorton Tomasetti as sub-consultants. It focused on the exterior condition. An operating model study conducted by consultant Canopy Strategic Partners examined potential operating models, including the amount of funding needed. The results of the first two studies are what were presented during the June 24 meeting. The results of the third study are expected by year end. Virginia Beach City Council approves Virginia Aquarium funding The Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – Special Formal Session was held on June 24, 2025. You can view the meeting in its entirety on YouTube. The Virginia Aquarium is the third most visited attraction in the Commonwealth, according to the Foundation. The need for upgrades highlights the importance of timely investment to preserve one of Virginia's key attractions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Virginia Beach trolleys rev up for the season, serving the resort area, along Shore Drive
VIRGINIA BEACH — Summer is right around the corner and so are those iconic sky blue Virginia Beach trolleys. The VB Wave trolley service returns for the summer season Sunday with an extended route and a new app to pay for fares. Trolley ridership was up 59% last year as compared with 2023, according to Hampton Roads Transit, which operates the routes. New this year, Route 31, which services campgrounds and the Virginia Aquarium, will extend from Rudee Inlet to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street. Also new this season, riders can purchase tickets through the new GoMobile app with a credit card. Mobile ticketing is only available for The VB Wave trolley — not other HRT services. An adult single trip on VB Wave costs $2; a one-day pass is $4.50, and a three-day pass is $8. Discounted fees are available. Children ride for free while accompanied by a fare-paying adult. VB Wave also connects to HRT bus lines, including Routes 20 and 960 express service to downtown Norfolk. The trolleys, augmented by regular HRT buses, serve three routes: Route 30: Extends from one end of Atlantic Avenue to the other. Stops along the way at shops, restaurants, museums and more with service about every 15 minutes from 8 a.m.-2 a.m. daily through the Neptune Festival, Sept. 26-28. Route 31 (aquarium/campground): This route is being extended from Rudee Inlet to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street from campgrounds and tennis courts, fun parks and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. Route 31 will operate daily every 20 minutes from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Sept. 5 through the Neptune Festival. Route 35 (Bayfront Shuttle): Services between Parks Avenue/19th Street up Pacific Avenue to Shore Drive/Pleasure House Road. Route 35 services the Oceanfront, First Landing State Park, Edgar Cayce's A.R.E., Fort Story at Atlantic Avenue and 88th Street, North End beaches, Chesapeake Bay beaches and bayfront restaurants on Shore Drive. Operates daily, about every 30 minutes, from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only through the Neptune Festival. For more information about the VB Wave Trolley, including fares and maps, visit To use HRT's new interactive system map, visit Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125,
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Virginia Beach trolleys rev up for the season, serving the resort area, along Shore Drive
VIRGINIA BEACH — Summer is right around the corner and so are those iconic sky blue Virginia Beach trolleys. The VB Wave trolley service returns for the summer season Sunday with an extended route and a new app to pay for fares. Trolley ridership was up 59% last year as compared with 2023, according to Hampton Roads Transit, which operates the routes. New this year, Route 31, which services campgrounds and the Virginia Aquarium, will extend from Rudee Inlet to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street. Also new this season, riders can purchase tickets through the new GoMobile app with a credit card. Mobile ticketing is only available for The VB Wave trolley — not other HRT services. An adult single trip on VB Wave costs $2; a one-day pass is $4.50, and a three-day pass is $8. Discounted fees are available. Children ride for free while accompanied by a fare-paying adult. VB Wave also connects to HRT bus lines, including Routes 20 and 960 express service to downtown Norfolk. The trolleys, augmented by regular HRT buses, serve three routes: Route 30: Extends from one end of Atlantic Avenue to the other. Stops along the way at shops, restaurants, museums and more with service about every 15 minutes from 8 a.m.-2 a.m. daily through the Neptune Festival, Sept. 26-28. Route 31 (aquarium/campground): This route is being extended from Rudee Inlet to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street from campgrounds and tennis courts, fun parks and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. Route 31 will operate daily every 20 minutes from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only from Sept. 5 through the Neptune Festival. Route 35 (Bayfront Shuttle): Services between Parks Avenue/19th Street up Pacific Avenue to Shore Drive/Pleasure House Road. Route 35 services the Oceanfront, First Landing State Park, Edgar Cayce's A.R.E., Fort Story at Atlantic Avenue and 88th Street, North End beaches, Chesapeake Bay beaches and bayfront restaurants on Shore Drive. Operates daily, about every 30 minutes, from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only through the Neptune Festival. For more information about the VB Wave Trolley, including fares and maps, visit To use HRT's new interactive system map, visit Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125,
