Leap-The-Dips and Skyliner not opening for Lakemont's 2024 season.

RCMAC:

There were outdoor facilities and what seemed like an indoor field house (I didn’t go in but there was a lot of traffic in and out).

That's an ice skating rink called Galactic Ice. I know kids play ice hockey in there. It was built a few decades ago. From what I gather, it is very popular.

What consultant keeps telling these smaller parks to tear out their midways, remove all the attractions that make them a unique entertainment option in the area, and go with municipal park amenities so that everything they have left has to compete with "free"? Since I started watching the amusement industry in 1987, we've seen this same script play out several times, at Conneaut Lake (twice), at Lakemont, and at Coney Island, and who knows where else. Every single time the result is disaster. It really is a suicidal option for any park. There has to be a better way to revive a struggling amusement park.

Conneaut Lake... Fantasy Farm... Old Indiana... Americana... Geauga lake... Wyandot Lake... Conneaut Lake... Coney Island... Lakemont Park... not all gone for the same reason, but gone is still gone...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I think the intention is to reduce expense, not look for revenue.

I have to wonder with Leap the Dips if there isn't actually a museum that it could fit into quite nicely. Not that I'd want to see it move from PA, but it would definately fit in nicely at Greenfield Village in Detroit. That's likely a pipedream, but they do have a carousel from about that time and I guarantee Detroit had something similar at the turn of the 20th century.

Just about every amusement park in the world had a figure 8 coaster. Now there’s just the one. I suppose the same thing will happen with the Arrow Corkscrew, right? (Wait- that day may be sooner than later..) As I’ve said before, it would be great if someone would pick it up. It would definitely be on the merit of historical value- the thrill factor is quite low.
And I’ll restate that Lakemont is a victim of business choices. Someone doesn’t want to operate an amusement park. I wonder if there was an outcry in Altoona such as what we saw (somewhat) with Old Coney. And it doesn’t matter. If it’s too expensive or bothersome or sketchy or whatever, they’re gonna close.

It may be the beginning of the end for Lakemont Park.

In all fairness, I feel like we’ve been teetering on the edge of that for quite some time, now.

Rick77:

It may be the beginning of the end for Lakemont Park.

I'd say it seems more like the end stage end for Lakemont. The beginning of the end started with the whole 'let's try to make Lakemont 'Hersheypark Lite' Boytertown USA mess.

I went to the Boyer factory store while I was in Altoona. I loaded up on dark chocolate Mallocups and took advantage of the scratch and dent department. Practically free.

Any trip to or through Altoona is not complete without a visit to Boyer Candy factory outlet. In the old days, you could get a huge bag of slightly irregular candy for a very small amount of money. Nowadays, it's a little more expensive, but still.

Seems that they have hired a new GM https://www.wtaj.com/news/l...l-manager/

Call me crazy, but going from managing an art museum to a miniature golf course seems like a demotion to me.

I tend to agree with you, but maybe that's a good thing? If you can do better for yourself running the art museum and you still want to take on the challenge of a dying [amusement] park, could there be some passion there for giving it an honest shot?

Perhaps someone who understands that you can't cost-cut your way to profitability. You have to generate revenue.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Or maybe its someone who is familiar with taking old stuff that was once useful/used and turning it into old stuff that is just to be looked at. ;)

I also think Lakemont may be a victim of changing demographics and populations. In 1930, Altoona's population was 82,000. It has dropped every decade since then is now at 44000 - roughly half. The flight out of Altoona has not been to the same level as other places (i.e. Detroit), but unlike Detroit, which is a major metro area, there is not much around Altoona. The area has some tourist trade, but it is not like the Poconos, though my understanding is even that area is more challenged than it used to be. In the 50's, a trip out from Pittsburgh for a weekend to Altoona may have made sense for a short trip, but today, one can take a plane to a lot of other places as well. It's unfortunate, but to survive, there really needs to be critical mass of population and things to do, both of which are somewhat missing in Altoona.

But where else will you get pizza like this?

Is it really a population thing though? The Altoona area has a population that is very similar to the Sandusky area, and Sandusky proper has about half the population as Altoona proper. Yet one city is host to a huge park and has been for many moons. Altoona could support making itself a destination town, as they are many large towns within a relatively short drive.

Cost cutting isn't the way forward.

That's not a great comparison. Sandusky is an hour to Cleveland, half-hour to Toledo, hour and change to Detroit. Altoona is two hours to Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.

Lordy, That's what we were served in the high school cafeteria fifty-four years ago. They called them Pizzets. A slice of white bread with spaghetti sauce topped with a slice of American cheese.

BrettV:

But where else will you get pizza like this?

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Of course, I do love trying weird food things. Next time I'm in Altoona (likely never, tbh) I will absolutely try it.