Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Wyoming State Parks announced Monday the selection of Wyoming Hot Springs LLC as their partner for the future growth and development of concessions at Hot Springs State Park.
The decision will impact two current business owners within the park, owners of the Star Plunge and owners of Hot Springs Hotel.
“This marks the conclusion of our thorough and public RFP (request for proposals) process, and reaffirms our commitment to the values expressed by the community in the Hot Springs State Park master plan,” said Big Horn District Manager Brooks Jordan in a press release.
The company currently operates family-oriented hot springs resorts in three locations across Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming. Wyoming Hot Springs LLC purchased TePee Pools facilities last fall and have a long-term management agreement with Wyoming State Parks through Dec. 31, 2047.
“This partnership offers an opportunity to create the best visitor experience in Wyoming, and to have a tremendous economic impact in the community and across the region,” said Nick Neylon, Wyoming State Parks Deputy Director.
Visitors to the park will see upgrades to the TePee Pools facility, including a proposed future full reconstruction to transform the facility into a new spa and wellness center, featuring more adult-oriented, quiet, relaxing experiences, focused on the healing properties of the waters. Wyoming Hot Springs purchased the TePee Pools in November 2023.
The Star Plunge and Hot Springs Hotel will continue to operate under existing management through the conclusion of their current contracts, at which time Wyoming Hot Springs LLC will begin remodeling or reconstruction of both facilities. These upgrades will include the addition of enough meeting space to host conventions that typically visit other parts of the state.
Jordan said all agreements for owners of concessions within the state park are that they are “to remove all improvements and return it to its natural state” when the agreement ends.
Current operators could remove everything as required or could negotiate something with the future operator or if they abandon facilities and improvements they become property of the state, Jordan said.
Wyoming Hot Springs LLC was one of three companies submitting RFPs. Wyoming State Parks began seeking proposals in 2019.Jordan said Star Plunge owners also submitted a plan. The Star Plunge short-term agreement expires Dec. 31, 2024, and Hot Springs Hotel management agreement expires Oct. 31, 2026.
Jordan said with the approval and acceptance of Wyoming Hot Springs LLC as the parks partner, current operators of the Star Plunge and Hot Springs Hotel will not be involved with concessions in Hot Springs State Park once their agreements end.
STAR PLUNGE
According to a WyoFile report , Star Plunge owner Roland Luehne, whose family has operated the aquatic facility for 49 years, feels the state is wrongly pushing out a local business.
“This is just heartbreaking,” Luehne told WyoFile reporter Katie Klingsporn Monday after hearing the news. “My family and I poured [our] life into Star Plunge. And our facility is the No. 1 attraction in the area, and it’s the No. 1 attraction for the way that we’ve been running it.”
Luehne had started a petition on change.org titled “Save Star Plunge in 2016. In the petition he wrote, “There are new regulations that are being set in place to allow anyone to ‘bid’ on our facility and take the Star Plunge out from under us, starting in 2020. We have done everything the state of Wyoming has asked of us. We even try and do more, for instance updating our outdoor hot tub took 9 years for them to give us permission. It only took 3 weeks to actually build it.
“All for the Plunge and all for our greater Wyoming family. So, to our State Officials, Representatives, and our Governor, we ask for your support and help with continued support for a local business.
“Give Star Plunge a lease. Secure a future for Star Plunge and stabilized our fragile tourism industry. Star Plunge is the number one attraction according to TripAdvisor . Star Plunge draws over 60,000 swims per year. Without Star Plunge many people will loose(sic) their jobs and local tourism industry will be ruined.”
In a Facebook post last week, Micky’s Movie Theater posted, “If they succeed in taking Star Plunge, Official, more than likely, this theater will have to close.” The theater is owned by the Leuhnes and the post states that “as to why we would have to close, with the current state of Hollywood, we are not making enough money to stay open. Star Plunge helps with our bills.”
SUPPORT FOR CHANGE
In the State Parks press release, Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners Chairman Thomas J. Ryan said, “We believe that this project, when completed, will enhance the core business area of Thermopolis and Hot Springs County, existing area tourist attractions, and have a beneficial effect on the economy of the State of Wyoming as a whole.”
Wyoming Hot Springs LLC’s primary representative, Mark Begich, is a long-time business owner specializing in business development, travel, and tourism across several Western states and Alaska.
Jordan said, “I did serve on the RFP evaluation panel, one of six members and I can speak for myself and the committee because we were unanimous in our rankings,” he said, noting Wyoming Hot Springs LLC was ranked the highest.
“They addressed all the components for RFP, which included new and improved aquatic facilities, lodging and convention space. They were quite comprehensive in their proposal, their needs and needs of the park,” Jordan said. “Their proposal checked all the boxes.”
The partnership will not impact the Best Western Plaza Inn which has a long-term agreement through 2043.
Regarding the state bath house, Jordan said that Wyoming Hot Springs LLC did propose talking about management of state bath house but nothing has been determined at this time.
“The most important part is that it will remain free and open to the public. We will work closely with the new concession operators so locals can still have affordable access to enjoying the mineral springs,” he said.
Jordan said, “Based on their proposal and what we are looking for I don’t see the elimination of existing facilities.” He said there would be major renovations, but “I don’t foresee any of them going away.”
He said with the selection of the company, Wyoming State Parks can now begin negotiations on the specifics of the plan for Hot Springs State Park.
“The aquatic and lodging services we want to be open throughout the improvement process,” Jordan said.
He added that State Parks involved the community of Thermopolis throughout the process and he was appreciate of the community’s support and involvement.
“We look forward to continuing to keep them involved through improvement process. I have talked to the mayor, council, chamber director, commissioners, local legislators [Rep. John Winter of Thermopolis and Sen. Ed Cooper of Ten Sleep] and kept them in the loop.
“It’s been our mission to get as much information out as possible and be as transparent as possible,” Jordan said.
MASTER PLAN
According to the Master Plan, “The steering committee directed the vision for Hot Springs State Park to be revitalized as a renowned health, wellness and outdoor destination, offering abundant natural and cultural resources, with diverse recreational and cultural opportunities. Building on its historic legacy, the park will conserve its core resource — the hot mineral waters. Key historical features and patterns will be restored, and the park’s diverse ecological zones will be protected.”
Eight goals were listed including conserve/efficient use of naturally occurring hot mineral waters withing the state park; provide recreational opportunities that can fulfill the park’s potential and maximize its benefits; improve individual facilities, maximize opportunities by providing diverse product offerings; provide and encourage facility redevelopment to prioritize life, health and safety; re-establish the cultural and natural legacy of Hot Springs State Park by restoring the park core, the natural corridor and key social and historical features; build upon the aesthetics of historical and iconic features; follow a sustainable approach to the improvement and management of park space and facilities; create opportunities for research throughout the park and facilities.