Hotel stats bode well for region ahead of 250th and sports center opening
Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events center opens this month; final push for July 4th tourism efforts
Regional tourism is showing steady growth heading into a landmark summer of 250th anniversary celebrations, with the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Event Center (GWSEC) also set to bring more visitors, according to presentations delivered at a recent James City County Board of Supervisors business meeting.
Visit Williamsburg CEO Edward Harris reported transient tax collections have grown more than 11% over the past two calendar years, with year-to-date growth hovering around 4% and a projected finish between 5% and 6% for the full year. Hotel rooms sold across the historic triangle are up 6% through April compared to the prior year, Harris noted, while occupancy levels have increased 7.7%, outpacing state and national trends.
The GWSEC is a collaborative project among James City County, the City of Williamsburg, and York County and overseen by the Historic Triangle Recreation Facilities Authority (HTRFA). James City County Administrator Scott Stevens, who also leads the HTRFA board presented to the James City supervisors, outlining the organizations history and financing of the sports and event center. In addition to Stevens, HTRFA Executive Director Dana Youst presented construction milestones and facility features. KemperSports General Manager Ben Hardouin reported more than 100 confirmed events already booked, with reservations extending into 2030, covering sports tournaments, corporate events, weddings, and community programming.
Visit Williamsburg tourism update
The regional tourism agency reported steady post-pandemic growth, citing strong transient tax collections, rising hotel occupancy, and increased rooms sold. Advanced bookings for Independence Day are on the rise. The Today Show visited on May 15 and featured all three points of the historic triangle. A 250th anniversary birthday quilt, exceeding 500 feet and featuring squares from all 50 states, is now on display at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center and the Muscarelli Museum of Art. Ruth Larson, who serves as chair of the Visit Williamsburg board and vice chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors, was thanked by Edward Harris for her leadership of the organization. Watch the full tourism update from 6:34.
250th anniversary campaign and upcoming events
The tourism agency’s marketing platform, “Where America’s Journey Begins,” has run across television, billboards, digital advertising, and social media. Events supporting the 250th have included a Ken Burns documentary screening at Yorktown Battlefield, the Virginia Black Film Festival, and a Revolutionary Rhythms concert at Jamestown Beach Event Park. Upcoming highlights include Busch Gardens’ new coaster opening, Sail Yorktown on June 12, Williamsburg Live concerts, and Fourth of July celebrations. See details on the 250th campaign and events from 9:44.
Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center update
James City County Administrator Scott Stevens, who chairs the Historic Triangle Recreation Facilities Authority, provided a timeline tracing the sports facility concept back to at least 2014, with formal planning beginning in 2019 and locality funding agreements approved in December 2023. HTFA Executive Director Dana Creech Youst also presented. The Historic Triangle Recreation Facilities Authority was established with two representatives from each locality and bylaws requiring at least one vote from each locality to pass major decisions. The facility was built to its original 160,000-square-foot scope at the contracted cost of $80 million. View the project history presentation from 22:19.
Construction milestones and facility features
From groundbreaking in August 2024 through completion, the facility includes 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts, 36 pickleball courts, nearly 115,000 square feet of hardwood flooring, a banquet room, rollout turf, and a 270-component adventure gym designed for toddlers through age 18. The original rock climbing and ninja gym concept was replaced with the broader adventure gym to serve a wider age range. See construction milestones and features from 30:11.
Grand opening set for June 24
The facility officially opens June 24, 2026, with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. and a formal program beginning at 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to tour activity zones and attend the celebration. Management described the facility’s mission as delivering an elevated sports and events experience that is locally rooted, nationally relevant, and hospitality-driven. Hear the grand opening announcement from 32:36.
Events calendar and community programming
General Manager Ben Hardouin reported more than 100 confirmed events across sports and non-sports categories, including football, wrestling, cheerleading, ultimate frisbee, weddings, car shows, gaming conferences, science fairs, and employee appreciation events. Bookings extend into 2030. Weekly community programming will include drop-in pickleball, basketball, soccer, fitness classes, summer camps, birthday parties, and a planned World Cup watch party. View the events calendar overview from 36:16.
Operations team introduced
General Manager Ben Hardouin introduced facility staff members covering sales and marketing, sports and operations, facility maintenance, financial controls, food service, guest services, and adventure gym management. Marketing and Sales Manager Heidi Hume will oversee brand promotion, sales platforms, and non-sports events. Sports and Operations Manager Antonio Gonzalez will handle sports-related programming, clubs, and leagues. Facility Maintenance Manager BJ Armstead will manage operations and upkeep of the 160,000-square-foot facility. Controller Katrina White will oversee financial benchmarks and day-to-day fiscal operations. Executive Chef John Tandy, with extensive experience in catering and high-end restaurants, will lead food and beverage programming through a cafe offering grab-and-go options and full catering and banquet services. Watch the operations team introduction from 39:37.
In other news …
Government
City of Williamsburg CPMT Meeting Scheduled for June 16 The City of Williamsburg Community Policy and Management Team will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 1:30 PM at Child Development Resources located at 312 Waller Mill Rd. The meeting is open to the public and will include case reviews, funding decisions, and general business matters. The CPMT operates as part of a regional consortium that also includes community policy and management teams from James City County, York County, and the City of Poquoson. The agenda includes approval of previous minutes, closed session to review cases presented by FAPT teams, and voting on funding requests. For more information or to request accommodations for individuals with disabilities, contact CSA Coordinator Lori Heflin at 757-220-6161 or lori.b.heflin@dss.virginia.gov. Learn more
James City County offices closed June 19 for Juneteenth observance James City County Government announced that county offices and libraries will close on Friday, June 19 to observe Juneteenth. Most other county facilities and services will remain open to the public. The James City County Recreation Center, Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, all county parks, park stores, guest services offices, convenience centers, and the garbage transfer station will operate on their regular schedules. Curbside recycling service will continue without changes. For questions, contact the county’s Public Information Officer Renee Dallman at 757-253-6605.
James City County tax bills due Friday, June 5 James City County reports that personal property and real estate tax bills are due Friday, June 5, 2026. Taxpayers who have not received their bills should contact the Treasurer’s Office at 757-253-6705, as taxes remain due regardless of bill receipt. Residents can pay their taxes through several methods: online at jamescitycountyva.gov/epay, in person or by drop box at the Treasurer’s Office at 101-B Mounts Bay Road in Williamsburg or the Satellite Services Office at 3127 Forge Road in Toano, or by mail to the county lockbox in Boston. A 2.95% convenience fee applies to debit or credit card payments, while e-Check payments online have no additional fee. For questions, call the Treasurer’s Office at 757-253-6705.
James City County Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Canceled June 4 James City County reports that the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 5 p.m. has been canceled. The meeting was to be held at the County Government Center Building A Large Conference Room located at 101 Mounts Bay Road in Williamsburg. Residents who had items on the agenda or planned to attend should note this cancellation. For additional information about rescheduled meetings or other county board activities, residents can contact James City County Government or visit the official county website calendar.
Education
City of Williamsburg Opens Voting for 2026 Vote Sticker Design Contest The City of Williamsburg invites community members to participate in selecting winning designs for the 2026 Vote Sticker Design Contest through public online voting. The contest celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary and features original designs created by students from five Williamsburg-James City County schools. Students from Laurel Lane Elementary School, Matthew Whaley Elementary School, Berkeley Middle School, James Blair Middle School, and Lafayette High School submitted designs between April and May in two categories: “Future Voter” for elementary students and “I Voted” for middle and high school students. The Williamsburg Public Art Council reviewed all submissions and selected finalists based on creativity, clarity, and visual impact. Community members can vote for their favorite design in each category through June 12, 2026. The winning designs will be printed and distributed by the City during the 2026 election season, with winners announced in June and recognized by Williamsburg City Council in July.
Recreation & Events
James City County Parks and Recreation offers beach yoga sessions James City County Parks and Recreation reports that beach yoga sessions are being offered at Jamestown Beach Event Park, located at 2205 Jamestown Road in Williamsburg. Each session runs from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and offers residents an opportunity to practice yoga in an outdoor waterfront setting. Upcoming dates include Tuesday, June 9; Thursday, June 11; and Tuesday, June 16, 2026. For more information or to register, residents can contact Parks and Recreation at 757-259-4176. Additional program details are available in the Parks and Recreation brochure.
