VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — During a presentation on Tuesday, Virginia Beach City Council members discussed plans to change the ownership of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.
Members did not vote on anything Tuesday afternoon. However, city officials say they presented options to find a "sustainable future" for the aquarium.
Currently, the aquarium is a private-public partnership. The city owns the land and hires employees, while the Aquarium Foundation owns the animals and exhibits.
The current economic model that the aquarium and city use is not sustainable as it stands now, according to Virginia Beach Assistant City Manager Monica Croskey. Virginia Beach currently subsidizes the aquarium around $7.4 million annually.
The presentation also laid out the results of a public survey. That survey, according to the City of Virginia Beach, revealed most people were supportive of any plan to keep the aquarium.
One question the city did not ask was "If people would be OK with a tax increase when it comes to expanding the aquarium?"
The four models discussed are just plans at the moment — no action has been taken.
The first plan discussed maintaining the status quo. But even then, Croskey says the centers' needs aren't being met.
The second option, also known as Reduced Scope, would provide funding at a significantly lower level than the aquarium asked for.
Meanwhile, the third option known as Original Scope would significantly increase funding for the operation and expansion of the aquarium.
The fourth and final option discussed was to explore an alternative partnership model. Virginia Beach formally submitted a request for information from potentially interested parties. Three companies responded.
ZoOceanarium — which operates in St. Louis, Missouri and Dallas, Texas — is the latest to express interest.
Another interested company is Ripley Entertainment. It's based out of Canada and has three accredited aquariums in Toronto, Canada; Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Ripley Entertainment's portfolio features "Believe or Not" and "Guinness World Record." They also have experience in marine science but not stranding — which is a major goal of Virginia Aquarium.
A third potential owner is Hershcend Enterprises, which has aquariums close to Cincinnati, Ohio; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Vancouver, Canada. They operate one of the largest mammal rescue operations in the world. They also own parks and brands like "Dollywood" and "The Harlem Globetrotters."
City council members did not come to a decision Tuesday, saying further conversations need to happen. Councilmembers also discussed visiting other aquariums and talking with the Virginia Aquarium Foundation before making a final decision.
The entire presentation can be viewed here.