Anticipating a busy season, Bristol’s Lake Compounce amusement park announced longer hours and higher pay for workers.
The park said it wants to hire 900 additional workers to staff hours similar to its pre-pandemic schedule. Workers age 18 and up are guaranteed $15 an hour and will get free season passes for themselves and three family members at the park, which features thrill rides, water slides and stage shows.
The wage hike comes amid a national debate over a $15 minimum wage, which some Democrats in Congress pushed for earlier this year, but failed to get it included in the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan stimulus bill. It also comes as many low-wage businesses struggle to find workers, largely a result of generous unemployment benefits being provided by the state and federal governments.
Connecticut’s current minimum wage is $12 per hour and it’s scheduled to hit $15 on June, 1, 2023.
“All signs point to an unforgettable summer, so we’re stepping up our recruitment efforts to attract great candidates and deliver amazing experiences for our guests,” General Manager Larry Gorneault, Jr. said.
Workers are needed in all departments, with a focus on recruiting lifeguards, ride operators and catering staff. Measures to protect new hires from COVID-19 include a mask requirement for in-person interviews and orientations and strict adherence to indoor capacity limitations. Online orientations are offered to returning workers.
Lake Compounce celebrates its 175 anniversary this year, making it the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America.
