HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County Commissioner Dave Kessling said Thursday that Lakemont Park must remain a park and that he has no interest in seeing the grounds developed for other uses.

With the park’s Casino banquet venue slated to close in early July, suggestions are surfacing as to the future of the park, along with concerns.

Based on prior court rulings governing use of the land, Kessling said Lakemont Park has to remain a park.

“We won’t allow high-rise apartments, banks,” Kessling said. “Any chance of that kind of development, we’re opposed to that.”

When asked about the potential for a sports complex, a suggestion that has surfaced from time to time during discussions of the park’s future, Kessling acknowledged “ongoing talks” but nothing firm.

What is firm is his desire for some kind of action that will address the current lack of care to the amusement park’s rides that aren’t being operated for a second year.

“We’re not going to let them sit there and deteriorate,” Kessling said.

The county currently has a lease with the Lakemont Partnership governing park operations. Under that lease, the partnership keeps the park grounds open for picnics, mini-golf, basketball and volleyball. It also hosts various events throughout the year, including a yard sale and car show scheduled this weekend.

Meanwhile, the park’s Skyliner roller coaster, which towers behind PNG Field, and the 123-year-old Leap the Dips coaster that’s designated a National Historic Landmark, are idle. Same goes for the park’s swimming pool and slides that made it an attraction in prior years.

The partnership has advised commissioners that maintenance and insurance expenses associated with the rides aren’t affordable. Kessling has acknowledged that position, as well as a desire to do something.

While the county has the option of setting aside money to support Lakemont Park and its rides, Kessling said the county doesn’t have the money to do that.

Casino operator Doug Simon, who is closing that banquet venue due to ongoing financial struggles, previously told the Mirror that he and the Lakemont Partnership are looking for a successor who could buy the assets.

The banquet venue has been operating in the park for 33 years and the assets include banquet rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and a list of repeat customers and catering clients.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.