For more than eight decades, Marineland Dolphin Adventure has been a North Florida icon—part research facility, part tourist attraction, and part local legend. It was one of my first wildlife park visits as a child in the '60s. But as the facility’s Mexican parent company, The Dolphin Company, wades through bankruptcy, its future now rests on the decision of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Silverstein, who will rule Wednesday on which bidder takes control.

The frontrunner: a Green Cove Springs couple who say they want to save Marineland. The rival: a Texas developer who sees something different in the same oceanfront land. At stake are not just 30 acres of coastal property—but the lives of 17 dolphins and the legacy of one of Florida’s oldest marine parks.

From Bankruptcy to Bidding Wars: How Marineland Reached the Brink

The drama began when The Dolphin Company, which owns more than a dozen marine attractions worldwide, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025. The company claimed mounting debt, but admitted Marineland itself was not losing money. Still, the court bundled the oceanarium among other distressed properties headed to auction.

The first to emerge as a “stalking horse” bidder was The Hutson Companies, a St. Augustine-based home developer. Then came Delightful Development LLC, led by Texas commercial developer Craig Cavileer, whose $7.1 million offer displaced Hutson’s bid.

When the court convened an approval hearing in late October, Cavileer’s deal looked all but done—until Judge Silverstein raised pointed questions about the fate of the dolphins and gaps in the record presented by attorney Allison Mielke, representing the debtor.

Her refusal to finalize the sale forced the process open once more—and gave preservationists one last chance.

Enter the Underdogs: The Rubels and the Dolphin Research Team

That second chance came from Barbara and Jon Rubel, a philanthropic couple from Green Cove Springs. They joined forces with Jack Kassewitz, a noted dolphin-communication researcher, and Felicia Cook, Marineland’s former general manager. Together they formed #1 Apex Association, a nonprofit-minded entity that ultimately placed the winning $7.135 million bid on Monday.

Kassewitz had tried to submit a $4 million offer weeks earlier but was told it arrived too late—a claim Judge Silverstein later questioned. Once the judge ordered a fair rebid, the Rubel-Kassewitz team outflanked Cavileer’s developers by just $35,000.

Their plan, they say, is straightforward:

A Legacy of Research—and a Promise of Renewal

The Rubels and Kassewitzes bring with them a long record in marine-mammal communication and welfare research. Through their nonprofit Global Heart Inc., the couple developed Speak Dolphin, a two-way communication project that allows visitors to “speak” with dolphins through interactive digital games.

In a letter to the judge, Donna Kassewitz—Jack’s wife and a former minority shareholder in The Dolphin Company—explained that her early stake was diluted to 4 percent long ago, but that she “never stopped speaking up for the well-being of the dolphins.”

Their proposal for Marineland includes:

• Expanding educational and research programs;

• Integrating therapy sessions for veterans with PTSD, special-needs families, and cancer patients;

• Offering wellness experiences for seniors with cognitive decline;

• Preserving Marineland’s mission as a publicly accessible oceanarium focused on education and conservation.

Accusations and Oversight: The Dolphin Company Under Fire

While the Rubels’ preservation plan has galvanized support, the current owner faces mounting criticism.

Former Marineland trainer Kat Rust, now part of the advocacy group Tide Breakers, alleges that during bankruptcy The Dolphin Company failed to pay employees, vendors, and even laboratories supplying medical care. The group has filed a Change.org petition urging Congress to investigate the company’s Florida parks and the USDA’s enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.

Rust fears for the facility’s 17 dolphins:

Judge Silverstein appeared to share that concern when she discovered the initial sale agreement excluded the animals entirely. Her demand for a transparent, complete case history reshaped the entire auction.

The Developer’s Vision—and the Preservationists’ Challenge

Little public detail exists about Delightful Development’s intentions for the site, but its track record in commercial and mixed-use projects fueled speculation that the developer could redevelop the property into a resort or residential complex.

By contrast, the Rubel-Kassewitz plan keeps the marine park intact and emphasizes research, therapy, and eco-education over tourism spectacle.

Critics of all sides note that even a “saved” Marineland remains a captive-animal facility—a difficult balancing act in an era of growing skepticism toward marine mammal captivity. But for supporters, the Rubels’ plan represents the best available path to preserve both heritage and habitat.

A Town with Three Voters—and the Eyes of a Region

Technically, the Town of Marineland has only three registered voters, all of whom sit on the town commission. Yet its symbolic weight far exceeds its population. Local officials have remained cautious, saying only that they are “watching and waiting” as the court decides.

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents and students across St. Johns and Flagler Counties have sent letters urging Judge Silverstein to block a developer takeover and preserve the site’s mission. One student wrote:

What Happens Next: Wednesday’s Pivotal Hearing

At 10 a.m. Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware, Judge Silverstein will hold the final sale hearing. She will weigh competing bids, creditor claims, and animal-welfare documentation before issuing a ruling.

Possible outcomes include:

• Approval of the Rubel-Kassewitz bid, allowing #1 Apex Association to assume ownership and continue operations;

• Conditional approval, requiring specific guarantees for the dolphins’ care and facility maintenance; or

• Reversion to the developer bid, if the court finds procedural or financial shortcomings in the Apex proposal.

Given the judge’s earlier rebuke of incomplete filings, observers expect a detailed and potentially conditional ruling. Whatever happens, Marineland’s future—and perhaps its very identity—will be decided within days.

Why It Matters for Northeast Florida

This saga reflects broader themes familiar to Northeast Florida watchers:

• Heritage vs. development – preserving a historic site in the face of rising coastal land values;

• Transparency vs. expediency – the judge’s insistence on full disclosure mirrors local battles over downtown Jacksonville and other public-private deals;

• Community advocacy – citizens, students, and former employees mobilizing to influence a legal and ethical outcome;

• Economic and environmental stakes – balancing tourism, conservation, and fiscal responsibility.

For Jacksonville-area residents, the story also serves as a reminder that local landmarks can vanish quietly unless communities demand accountability and vision.

Conclusion: Hope, Uncertainty, and a Moment of Truth

Marineland Dolphin Adventure has survived hurricanes, ownership changes, and shifting public attitudes toward marine life. Its future now hinges on a judge’s decision and a promise—from philanthropists who believe in preservation over profit.

If Judge Silverstein approves the Rubels’ bid, Marineland could enter a new era rooted in education, science, and healing. If not, it may become another Florida landmark lost to development.

Either way, this week’s hearing will mark a turning point—for the dolphins, for the community, and for what Florida chooses to value most.