LANCASTER—Folks will have to wait a little longer to enjoy the Compass Entertainment Complex at 100 Entertainment Drive, Pitman’s Corner.
Compass Entertainment Complex, a multiscreen movie theater and family entertainment center, was on schedule for grand opening in late Spring.
Then COVID-19 happened.
While local construction was permitted to continue on the 28,000-square-foot entertainment complex, which will include a six-screen movie theater and a new full-service restaurant, many of the project’s out-of-state vendors in Michigan and Ohio for its attractions and features were affected by the shutdowns related to the global pandemic.
With shutdowns being lifted and the country gradually getting back up to speed, owners Julien Patterson and Terri Wesselman say they are now looking at a late-summer opening, which will comply with Phase 3 of Gov. Ralph Northam’s reopening plan.
“This has been a very difficult situation for everyone around the globe, and we have felt it here in Irvington, too,” Patterson said. “Unfortunately, we’ve run into some manufacturing delays with some of our attraction vendors. However, we have altered our schedules to work with updated delivery timelines and, if the situation continues to improve, we are looking to be open by Labor Day.”
Due to COVID-19, there are also additional health and sanitation precautions that will be put into place before Compass Entertainment Complex opens.
“This pandemic has changed the way we are looking at the comfort, health and safety of our employees and future guests, which is a top concern for us,” Patterson said. “We are now preparing the facility to meet both Virginia Health Department and CDC guidelines for sanitation that may be in effect at opening.”
The facility also will implement an online reservation system for movie theater seat selection to automate social distancing. Compass also will offer advance online booking to allow guests to reserve a time and attractions to assist in maintaining any COVID-19 occupancy limits that might be in effect when the facility opens.
