Indiana Beach resort sold to amusement park firm

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A California-based operator of amusement parks has purchased Indiana Beach Amusement Resort in Monticello on the cusp of its 90th anniversary.

Apex Parks Group, a company formed in 2014 with the acquisition of more than a dozen parks and run by a former executive of Six Flags Corp., announced the sale this week. Terms of the deal with owner Morgan Recreation Vacations of Sarasota, New York, were not disclosed.

Founded in 1926 on Lake Shafer, the entertainment venue has grown over the decades to 376 acres with six rollercoasters and dozens of other rides, a water park, zip lines, miniature golf and accommodations including more than 1,180 camp sites and 100 boat docks.

Descendants of Indiana Beach founder Earl Spackman sold the operation to Morgan in 2008. The park is located about halfway between Indianapolis and Chicago.

Apex Parks CEO Al Weber called Indiana Beach “a jewel of a resort.” Apex also owns 13 amusement parks and two water parks in California, Texas, Florida and New Jersey.

“We believe the resources that Apex Parks brings to Indiana Beach will provide us opportunity for expansion and improved infrastructure,” said Indiana Beach General Manager John Collins. “We're very confident that we will take this great property and take it to the next level.”

The park will continue to operate for the remainder of its 2015 schedule. It will be open Sept. 4-7 for Labor Day weekend, and Sept. 12-13 and 19.
 

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