FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A fresh chapter began on Saturday for one of Florida’s longstanding marine life attractions.

Marineland Dolphin Adventure has officially come under new ownership and management. This transition comes just months after its previous parent company faced bankruptcy, which had developers eyeing the land for other purposes.

On December 6, despite the overcast skies in Flagler County, the atmosphere at Marineland Dolphin Adventure was filled with optimism and excitement.

The park was bustling with hugs, congratulations, and plenty of smiles as the new era began.

With little public fanfare, the new managers — Felicia Cook and Jack and Donna Kassawitz — triumphantly walked into the park they worked hard to save.

Cook had been Marineland’s general manager until January when she chose to leave amidst the financial problems at the park.

For at least a year, Marineland’s parent company, The Dolphin Company, had money issues.

The Dolphin Company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, and it put Marineland on the auction block.

When it looked like real estate developers were going to win the auction bid and possibly mow down the park, Cook and dolphin researcher Kassewitz rallied to save Marineland and keep it a dolphin and marine life park.

“She and I made a commitment we were going to save Marineland,” Kassewitz said.

“We had a pair of angels come forward,” he said.

Indeed, a North Florida couple put up the money to win the final bid on Marineland. Then, they donated all the assets of the park to a newly formed nonprofit organization called Marineland Waves of the Future. So now, all of the park is a nonprofit organization.

And now, Cook is back as the general manager. And Kassewitz and his wife, Donna, are part of the management team as well.

As for the employees who worked during the financial upheaval, they came to work like they always do, but many people commented Dec. 6 that there was a levity and joy in the air.

Their jobs have been saved, and so have the dolphins and the other 1,200 other animals at the park which dates to 1938.

Former Marineland employee, Terran McGinnis, hopes to return to the place she worked for more than 20 years.

“The good guys won this time, and that just so rarely happens, and it totally did,” she beamed Saturday.

“We are really wanting to concentrate on research, conservation, education,” Cook said. “This is what this should all be about.”

And there is work to do at the facility itself.

“This place has been neglected for several years,” Kassewitz said. “We got our list and we’re going out, and we’re going at them right away.”

The plan is to make its next chapter better.

Kassewitz said, “I want people around the world to say, ‘Do you know what they’re doing at Marineland!?’”

The park remains open for business and dolphin encounters Wednesday through Sunday.

“I just can’t wait for people to come and be a part of the old, but new Marineland,” Cook said with a smile.