originally posted on 1/20/2023
Photo: Scott Short. View full-sized image.
The up-and-down tale of Joyland Amusement Park’s future has once again taken a very sad turn. While optimism was high when two couples stepped in to save the family-owned Lubbock, Texas, park after the Dean family announced their retirement last fall, that deal has fallen through. [See the October and December issues of ACE News.]
On its website, Joyland posted:
“It is with a broken heart that we must announce that Joyland will not be reopening after all.
The group of investors that originally planned to purchase the business have backed out.
Liquidation of the park will follow.”
Galaxi. Photo: Michael Horwood. View full-sized image.
“They backed out at the last minute. Their lawyers informed ours,” David Dean, owner, told ACE. Both Dean and his wife, Kristi, expressed thanks for the city’s support for 50 years.
Enthusiasts have always cherished the nation’s family-owned parks, so this is quite a blow, particularly for Texas ACEers.
The rides are going up for auction. While many are sure to find new homes, the closure of Joyland leaves Lubbock with no amusement park. The park had three coasters on its closure last September: Galaxi, Dragon Wagon and Sand Storm.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
#ACENews