A group led by dolphin experts, with financial backing from a Clay County couple, is a step closer to becoming the new owners of the historic Marineland Dolphin Adventure near the St. Johns-Flagler County line.

Marineland, which has been open to the public since 1938, was put up for sale over the summer as part of the bankruptcy process for its owner, The Dolphin Company. The Mexico-based company, which bought Marineland in 2019 and owns dolphin attractions around the world, filed for bankruptcy in March.

Court documents show that a group called “#1 Apex Association, LLC” was the selected bidder at a bankruptcy auction held Monday afternoon. The group, led by Barbara and Jon Rubel of Green Cove Springs, along with dolphin expert Jack Kassewitz and former Marineland manager Felicia Cook,

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