Indiana Beach amusement park has a new owner after previous owners announced they would be closing the park. The Thursday announcement follows months of financial incentive work by county leaders and a campaign made by fans to save the park.
Chicago businessman Gene Staples is purchasing Indiana Beach from Apex Parks Group after the company decided to shut down the park due to financial problems. Apex Parks Group has since filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The White County Commissioners approved $3 million worth of incentives to Staples.
City of Monticello Mayor Cathy Gross says the park is just outside her city limits, but the impact of the purchase will be felt throughout the area.
“We want to be a good neighbor and a good partner, and we all know our futures are somewhat dependent on one another, more or less,” says Gross.
The announcement comes at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has slowed down the economy.
Gross says it’s welcome news during a challenging time for the community and believes it shows Staples’s commitment to the success of the park.
“That truly gives me optimism that he is in it for the long hall,” she says. “At least that’s our hope, and I’m confident that that is his as well.”
Gross encourages all those who showed support to save the park to now come visit when it reopens to help prevent a similar situation down the road.