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The company that runs Lakemont Park under a long-term lease from Blair County won’t operate any rides there this season because it has become financially unsustainable, according to Lakemont Partnership President Andrea Cohen.
In keeping with its transition several years ago from classic amusement park with lots of rides to a facility primarily for active recreation, the partnership will continue to offer access to the four batting cages, four basketball courts, two volleyball courts, two mini-golf courses and 10 pavilions, Cohen told the county commissioners Thursday.
With declining attendance and high insurance costs, the park is losing money overall, although the partnership hopes to reverse that by attracting more patrons to those recreational facilities; booking more events like music festivals, craft and car shows and fundraising walks; and especially by working with businesses and community organizations on creative new proposals, Cohen said.
Yes, terrible news indeed. I think we should be thinking ahead to the worst it could get and start hunting for other parks to buy the 2 vintage, and important, roller coasters. We've had these kind of bad news scenarios many times in the past. Think Geauga Lake, Conneaut Lake.
Henry Sanford
says... Posted Thursday, February 8, 2024
I have been there and the atmosphere there is great. Leap the dips and Skyliner were great rides. I loved everything about it. (It was a little empty because we were there on the last day for the year at opening time, though) I hope that if it goes up for auction we will get lucky like with Indiana Beach and it will be bought by someone who wants it to be open for so many more people to enjoy.
This news is very disappointing, and disconcerting. I fear that these circumstances and actions do not bode well for the amusement components of Lakemont Park.
Randy Geisler
says... Posted Saturday, February 3, 2024
Certainly bad news for Lakemont as an amusement park, and this would seemingly be especially bad news for the future of the (1902) Leap the Dips (the world's oldest operating coaster, up until this year anyway), not to mention the (1960) Skyliner wooden coasters.
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