Sold: Indiana Beach bought by Morgan RV Resorts for undisclosed amount.
Kevin Howell
Reporter

For more than 80 years what has become Indiana's largest amusement resort has been owned and operated by the Spackman family, descendants of Indiana Beach founder Earl Spackman.

That era is nearing an end with the announcement Tuesday of the sale of Indiana Beach, Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Indiana Beach Camp Resort and all other operations to New York - based Morgan RV Resorts for an undisclosed price.

The deal has been in the works since December, 2007 when representatives of Morgan learned about Indiana Beach through the campground industry and contacted the Spackman family.

At this point few immediate changes are in store for the Indiana Beach operation according to Spackman family spokesman Tom Spackman Jr.
"Indiana Beach will continue to be Indiana Beach except it will become part of Morgan Management," said Spackman.

Spackman explained that Morgan is a private corporation operated by principle owners Bob Morgan and Bob Moser.

Morgan Management owns a number of other campgrounds and RV Courts along with about 10,000 apartments, water parks and five Jellystone Campgrounds, Spackman said.

"It's a growing company located in upstate New York near Lake George," he said.

In addition to properties in their home state, others are located in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, as well as Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.

"I feel this is a very nice fit for Indiana Beach because of their strength in the camping industry," Spackman said.

In a statement following the closing of the deal, Moser said the quality of the resort will remain.

"We are thrilled to be welcoming this historic Indiana family destination to the Morgan RV family. Guests of Indiana Beach will continue to take pleasure in the quality experience they have come to love over the past eight decades and enjoy an ongoing commitment to improving the destination year after year," said Moser.

Spackman said the new owners were impressed with what the family had accomplished with the resort as well as the new ride - Steel Hawg - which is scheduled to be in place for the 2008 season.
He also said the decision to sell, although somewhat emotional, was not too difficult to make.

"It wasn't that difficult really. You have to keep in mind that the family, with the exception of one sister, is all in their 60s," said Spackman.

Spackman sisters Ruth Davis and Cathy Juntgen will continue to work in their same capacities at least through the next season and possibly beyond. Davis oversees employees and Juntgen operates Yogi Bear Jellystone Camp Resort.
Spackman said he will stay on at least for several months and likely through the 2008 season as a consultant.

"There will be a lot of additional people coming in as well," Spackman said.
There will also be good things happening along with an influx of finances to add more improvements down the road.

"They have a 24 hour call center for all of their campgrounds so you have a reservation service all the time. We don't have that, we shut down during the winter around 5 p.m.," said Spackman.

Other additions will follow the Steel Hawg, Spackman said, and the new owners have already begun the process of seeking out builders.
Morgan also plans to expand the park itself, but it's not clear in which direction at this time.

Talks have taken place already about expansion plans under consideration prior to the sale, and the new owners presented ideas not thought of by the Spackmans as well.

That's where the influx of capital will help.

"One of the problems with running an amusement park today is it takes a lot of capital. Look at the cost of the coasters, and we have to put in (foundation) footers and that's not an easy thing," explained Spackman.
"Then you start doing accommodations, and we've got old accommodations that need to be replaced. Then if you want to expand on top of that there just isn't enough capital."

About $1.5-$2.5 million has gone back into the park each year for about the past eight or more years, he said.

At Jellystone, the attempt has been to add a couple of camping cabins each year where someone else, possibly Morgan, might add 10 per year.
"I think it's going to be a win-win situation for Monticello and White County," said Spackman.

Hard to say goodbye

While it may be business as usual for Indiana Beach as the park changes hands for the first time in its history, emotional ties are still hard to break.
"It's a little bit hard from the fact that my granddad started it and I grew up with it - I don't think there will be one thing I miss, it's the total of things that I will miss," said Spackman.

Spackman's father, Tom senior, who still makes appearances now and then at 90-something, seems to be taking it well according to Spackman.

"He's the one who leaked it (the sale) all over town," said Spackman.

"I think he was impressed it could sell for so much."

He said there will be a transition period of several months, and some new faces and new procedures, but "it will be business as usual, and I think this will be for the best."