Former Marineland manager 'elated' to return now that park is saved from development

MARINELAND, Fla. — Marineland will stay Marineland.

On Wednesday, a judge approved the sale of the dolphin park in Flagler County to a group that will keep it a marine life facility.

Just two weeks ago, in the bankruptcy auction involving the park's parent company , it looked like the 6-acre Marineland Dolphin Adventure property was going to the highest bidder, a real estate developer.

Fast forward to Wednesday morning, and the judge okayed the bid from a group of dolphin professionals who have generous benefactors.

"We are elated at the judge’s decision," Felicia Cook beamed.

'It brought tears to everybody," Jack Kassewitz said. "We did it!!"

Cook and Kassewitz are part of the team that is now set to buy Marineland. They spoke to First Coast News Wednesday afternoon.

Kassew