The Skyliner and Motorway Go-Karts remain closed at Lakemont Park on Wednesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

The Blair County commissioners and the company that holds a lease on Lakemont Park until 2066 are trying to figure out what will become of the park long term.

For the second year in a row, the Lakemont Partnership will offer access to batting cages, basketball and volleyball courts, mini-golf and picnic pavilions, while hosting special events – but will not operate the water park complex or the amusement rides, because they’re not financially viable, according to partnership President Andrea Cohen.

“We’re looking at a county asset in disrepair – basically rotting in front of us,” said Commissioner Dave Kessling in a phone interview. “We think (the park) has historic value to it, and we would like to see it preserved in some way.”

The park was left in trust to be open to the public, but it’s not being used to its full potential, said Commissioner Laura Burke.

The commissioners hear complaints from residents about that, she said, adding that everyone would like to see that dynamic change.

The partnership is trying, according to Cohen.

“Everyone is exploring new uses and options,” she said.

Partnership representatives have spoken to an amusement park consultant and other amusement park operators, she said.

It is working with local organizations to add events, she said.

But the situation isn’t much different than it was last winter, when she announced the rides wouldn’t operate in 2024, due to their being financially “unsustainable,” she said.

The investment needed to repair, maintain and insure the rides would require the partnership to charge ticket prices that would be unaffordable, Kessling said, citing information from the partnership.

Since 2019, income from ticket sales has never offset the operating costs of those rides, Cohen said.

The water park has not been operational since 2019.

The situation is “complicated,” Kessling said.

The lease is based on the park having been given to the county in the 1800s for public use as a park, he said.

Back then, there were picnic tables.

In more recent times, there were the amusement rides – and now the facilities for active recreation.

The parameters of what should constitute a park in accord with the lease in the context of options that the parties can pursue is open to interpretation, Kessling said.

Ultimately, any change in the format would need to be approved by the court, he said.

The partnership is trying its best, according to Kessling.

Together, the parties are trying to come up with a plan, he said.

There’s no actual deadline, but the inevitable degradation of assets like the historic Leap the Dips roller coaster is creating pressure, he said.

“Were we going to let it deteriorate and fall down – then what?” he said of the amusement rides.

“It’s heartbreaking to me,” he said. “We’re at a point where we need to do something.”