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Lakemont Park trying to sell off some rides

No opening date set yet for 2018 season

Lakemont Park officials say the recent posting on social media that the parks rides are for sale is really nothing new.

“They have been for sale for months, it just got posted,” said Melissa Vyborny, park general manager, after information about the rides was posted on Facebook by International Rides Management, an amusement industry service company, which is handling the sale of the rides.

In March, Lakemont Part­nership, which leases the facility from Blair County, proposed to remove some of the park’s older rides and replace them with a mini-golf course, a volleyball court, a basketball court, a bocce court and an expanded picnic area. Plans also called for a parking lot close to the picnic area, with parking restricted to park patrons.

Older rides to remain in the park include the Leap the Dips and Skyliner roller coasters, the Lakemont Train, the Tin Lizzy’s Antique Car rides, the paddle boats and the go-karts and Mini-Indy kids go-karts.

“This is part of the project to get rid of some of the rides. We are keeping the ones that are more popular. We are trying to see who has interest in some of the other ones,” Vyborny said. “There has been some interest but nothing specific.”

In addition, the partnership proposes additional improvements to remaining attractions and the park’s landscaping.

In April, Blair County Judge Elizabeth Doyle signed a petition paving the way for improvements at Lakemont Park and permitting the facility to remain closed this past summer.

At the time, park officials said they hoped to reopen the park in May.

“That is still up in the air. Planning is being done. There are a lot of things being done behind the scenes,” Vyborny said. “We are still working on a time to reopen. We have no specific date yet. We hope to have something open in 2018.”

However, having seen in September that no work had been commenced at the park, Blair County Commissioner Terry Tomassetti said he emailed Ralph J. Albarano, principal partner, as to the status of the renovations proposed by his group.

Albarano told Tomassetti the project had been delayed due to the illness and then death of his business partner, Donald Devorris.

Tomassetti also said the approval given to Albarano and his group does require that the park open at its ordinary and regular time in 2018 with alterations and renovations completed.

Park officials have been focusing on getting ready for the annual Holiday Lights on the Lake, which will open Friday, Vyborny said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.

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