HAMPTON, Va. - The James T. Wilson Fishing Pier will reopen this Saturday at 8 a.m.
The pier was damaged due to a loose barge that struck it back in November 2019. The barge smashed into the pier, ripping it into two pieces.
Reports confirm that repairs have been completed and the pier will resume regular hours until Dec. 31, when it will close until April 1.
The pier is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it's located at 330 South Resort Blvd.,
It will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pier admission fees have not changed, but new protocols for COVID-19 are in place, including:
- Patrons are asked to wear masks while in the pier house area.
- The Pier deck has been marked in 10-foot sections, and anglers (and all their equipment) must remain within these designated areas. This will be monitored by “pier ambassadors.”
- Total, social-distancing capacity for the pier is 160 anglers at one time, with 72 on each side of the pier, and 16 on the end of the pier.
- Should the pier reach these capacities, ticket sales will be suspended for sightseers and non-fishing visitors.
- Water fountains will not be available.
- The admissions window has been outfitted with a sneeze guard barrier, and staff will be wearing masks and gloves. Staff is also following an enhanced schedule for frequent hand-washing.
- Restrooms are sanitized every 4 hours.
- Parking will be limited to the pier parking lot after 10:00 p.m. Overflow parking in the nearby grass lot owned by the Housing Authority will not be available.
For more information, call the city’s 3-1-1 Citizens Contact Center (757)-727-8311 from your cell phone, or call the pier at (757)-727-1486. You can also get more information by visiting this link.
