Finally, some good news! Turns out that Indiana Beach Amusement Park will not be closed forever. Today it was announced that Indiana Beach has been purchased by Chicago businessman Gene Staples from Apex Parks Group.
Both the amusement park and campground are planned to reopen as soon as it is possible in 2020. With this announcement, the park returns to being under independent ownership.
As we wait for further news to be release on this happening, we will include a timeline of the events that occurred between the announcement of the closure of the park to its reopening confirmation today, compiled by @NewsAndReview on Facebook preserved here for posterity.
Here is the timeline leading up to the announcement of Staples purchasing Indiana Beach:
@NewsAndReview (Facebook)
• February 18th, Apex Parks Group announced Indiana Beach would be closed along with three other Apex properties. The closings were reportedly due to financial reasons.
• February 24th, a joint press was release from White County government leaders stated that they would be working together with Apex to find options for the park
• February 24th, Fun Spot America releases a statement that they are not interested in pursuing an acquisition of Indiana Beach.
• March 7th, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch meets with local government officials.
• March 11th, Indiana Secretary of State approves Indiana Beach Holdings, LLC certificate of organization to operate within the State of Indiana.
• March 12th, White County Commissioners, County Council members; Monticello Mayor Cathy Gross; George Loy, White County lawyer; Rich Hall, Indianapolis lawyer; Randy Mitchell, Economic Development President and others met in an executive session at the courthouse for the following purpose; For interviews and negotiations with industrial or commercial prospects or agents of industrial or commercial prospects.
• March 13th, Another executive session was announced for March 17th in the Commissioner’s meeting room at 5:30 PM. Topic of discussion is listed as; For interviews and negotiations with industrial or commercial prospects or agents of industrial or commercial prospects.
• March 13th, a special meeting is announced for March 17th
at 6:30 PM in the Commissioner’s meeting room involving the Board of White County Commissioners and County Council. The listed agenda is: Consideration of financial incentives for a qualified buyer of Indiana Beach Amusement and Water Park Resorts.
• March 17th, In a joint meeting with White County Commissioners and County Council approve $3 million incentive package for a qualified buyer of Indiana Beach.
• March 27th, Joint executive session and meeting with Commissioners and County Council scheduled for March 31st. The listed agenda for the meeting: Consideration of Indiana Beach Economic Development Financing Documents.
• March 31st, White County Council approves a revolving fund to allow for a $3M incentive package for a qualified buyer of Indiana Beach.
• April 9th, Apex Parks Group files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• April 21st, Gene Staples is announced as the new owner of Indiana Beach.