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.
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 — in keeping with its transition several years ago from classic amusement park with lots of rides to a facility primarily for active recreation, 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.
In the past, Cohen has considered using the park as a campground, and it’s conceivable it could serve at some point as the site for an indoor sports complex, even something that would require conversion to a nonprofit operation, Cohen said.
”We welcome the opportunity to discuss new business ventures,” she told the commissioners.
Such proposals would need to be taken to the commissioners, according to Cohen.
The partnership has recently hired a new park manager, whose charge will be to work with local businesses and organizations to bring events, Cohen said.
Especially problematic for the partnership in recent times has been the maintenance costs for the two wooden roller coasters — the Leap-The-Dips, which had been the world’s oldest operating coaster, and the Skyliner, Cohen said.
There needs to be discussions about what will happen to those rides — especially the 122-year-old Leap-The-Dips, according to Cohen.
Based on the county lease, which expires in 2066, the partnership is obligated to maintain and protect the Leap-The-Dips, a National Historic Landmark, said county solicitor Nathan Karn.
“They can’t let it fall down,” Karn said.
Under the lease, the county has the “right of first refusal” for the Skyliner and the miniature — but rideable — passenger train, should the partnership decide to sell those, Karn said.
Technically, the right of first refusal also applies to the Leap-The-Dips, according to Karn.
Other rides still at the park that won’t operate this summer are the Tin Lizzies, the go-carts, the Little Leaper and the 4x4s, Cohen said.
This season, the park will not host an Independence Day fireworks show, unless a sponsor steps forward to help with the $8,000-$10,000 cost, according to Cohen.
It will, however, continue to host the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission’s men’s summer basketball league, along with school picnics and camps — and will continue to offer the Holiday Lights on the Lake, according to Cohen.
The commissioners didn’t comment on Cohen’s presentation until questioned afterward by the Mirror.
www.altoonamirror.com
