The formal opening of the Chincoteague Island Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Campground of Chincoteague Island, Va.,  featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Wednesday (May 24), acocrding to an announcement from KOA.
The campground, formerly Maddox Family Campground, has undergone a $5 million renovation, with some work still ongoing.
In addition, a $5 million water park is slated to open on the property next year, according to developer Todd Burbage of Bluewater Development Corp.
“We couldn’t be here today without all the hard work and all the great things that they’ve done for us — everybody put in long hours and we really appreciate it,” said Burbage.
Burbage said the company is excited about its relationship with KOA, the largest North American camping chain.
“I think you’ll see a big change,” Burbage said, thanking the town of Chincoteague and all who supported the project.
“We are excited about seeing lots of activity over here this summer and lots of children and families having a good time — that’s what this place is all about,” said Evelyn Shotwell, executive diretor of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce.
After the ceremony, employees gave visitors tours of the facility, which sits on 200 acres near Assateague channel and has more than 400 campsites.
Highlights of innovations include a food truck that will cater events and be open on weekends and a trolley that will ferry campers to other parts of town, along with new facilities including 10 air conditioned cabins and three new bathhouses with laundry facilities.
Additionally, there are new premium pull-through campsites.
Camper and tent sites are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, and a new kayak launch is under construction.
Waterfront camping areas are a good spot to view rocket launches from nearby Wallops Island, said tour guide Will Moore, camp host and security director.
Four of the new cabins are pet-friendly, one is hypoallergenic and one is accessible, he said. Cabins sleep up to seven and are fully equipped, including with plates and silverware, and with cable television.
Moore said wildlife including turtles and owls are frequent visitors to the campground.
Additional amenities include a pool, a new camp store and office, golf-cart rentals for on-site use, a new “bouncy pad” for the kids, a dog park and propane tank fill-ups for campers.
