Major renovations are in store for Hot Springs State Park after Wyoming State Parks selected a new concessionaire for hotel and aquatic facilities that have remained largely unchanged for decades.
Wyoming State Parks announced Monday that it has selected Wyoming Hot Springs LLC through its recent request for proposal process. The corporation currently operates hot springs resorts in three locations across Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming — including, as of November, Tepee Pools in Hot Springs State Park.
The mineral-rich waters on the edge of Thermopolis have drawn human visitors for centuries, and Hot Springs State Park remains Wyoming’s most-visited state park to this day. Facilities haven’t changed much in generations, however, and Wyoming State Parks leaders contend that with some polishing up, the park can become an even bigger draw and economic engine.
“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,” Wyoming State Parks Deputy Director Nick Neylon said in the release.
Upgrades will soon begin to the Tepee Pools, according to a state press release, and a full reconstruction to transform the facility into a spa and wellness center is proposed for the future. The Star Plunge and Days Inn Hot Springs Hotel, meanwhile, 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. Star Plunge’s management agreement expires first, at the end of 2024.
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 said 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 launched an online petition to “Save Star Plunge” that has collected nearly 12,000 signatures, and many spoke in support of his enterprise at a recent public meeting on the matter.
The state’s process has opened debate about how Wyoming should guide development of its attractions in a way that balances state values. While some say updates to the park’s facilities are overdue, others argue Wyoming risks ruining the community with out-of-touch plans at the expense of a local business.
Background
In the 1,100-acre state park, patrons can brave water slides or splash around pools at two aquatic facilities, soak in a public bathhouse, amble along boardwalks, view a bison herd or stay in one of two hotels.
Concessionaires offer services at privately owned facilities: the Star Plunge and Tepee aquatic centers and Plaza Best Western and Days Inn Hot Springs hotels.
Because Star Plunge and Days Inn Hot Springs have been operated under soon-to-expire management agreements, Wyoming requested proposals in November from parties interested in constructing, operating and maintaining new or improved lodging and aquatic facilities within the park.
The idea was to secure long-term management leases that support the 2016 Hot Springs State Park Master Plan, which sets out a vision for a premier destination.
The state received three bids. The winning bid proposes transforming Tepee into a spa and wellness center in a full reconstruction while enhancing family facilities and the mid-century character of the Star Plunge with new slides, pools and a poolside diner; rebuilding or renovating the hotel to take advantage of the river area with upgraded dining and large riverfront sitting areas. Potential other offerings include nature trails, a drive-in theater, glamping facilities and a brew pub.
Those proposals spurred outcry at a recent meeting on the matter, with Star Plunge supporters questioning the state’s right to expel Luehne, asking if it will compensate him and suggesting litigation. Others defended Luehne for work he’s put into the facility and warned of Star Plunge losing its charm and affordability with a new owner.
Wyoming Hot Springs LLC’s primary representative, Mark Begich, is a former U.S. senator from Alaska who has been involved in travel, tourism and redevelopment enterprises.
In the state release, Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners Chairman Thomas J. Ryan said the bid represents a good project for his county.
“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,” Ryan said.
UPDATE: The Star Plunge has launched a new online petition that can be viewed here. -Ed.
Save the Star plunge do not let it go of a local so sad to see it closed to keep it open
Work with current operator to upgrade Star Plunge to meet business plan. State needs to
assist with upgrade costs with low cost loans and direct assistance were cost are extreme.
These investors already have the Wigwam!Thats enough!Let this family born and raised Wyomingites have their beloved business!We have enough out of state commerce as is!Look at Jackson,Cody area!If Governor Gordon allows this,he’s doing a disservice to Wyoming and its people!LEAVE STAR PLUNGE AS IS!
This is another example of political favor for financial gain. Nothing to see here, soon the elite class of the likes of Jackson Hole will be taking over. They are out of room around the Jackson area. Once this is done it won’t ever be the same.
The Wyoming State Parks wants to take away the Star Plunge from long time owner Roland Luehne and give it to an out of state politician to run, stating they feel the out of state guy can build a world class resort. Just a couple years ago the Star Plunge under the current owner Roland Luehne was ranked #9 in the Desert News – Best Water Parks to Visit. In addition over the past 10 years Trip Advisor has ranked the Star Plunge the #1 attraction in Thermopolis. I believe the State Parks should be thrilled to continue working with Roland Luehne.
I also have fond memories of going to Thermopolis specifically to enjoy the Hot Springs. I remember when water used to flow across the rock formation. Another state park that the state has contracted out to a single proprietorship to operate, if a single proprietorship can actually “own” management. My point is, when the state puts out these calls for bids, they are worded as such that the contractor takes on all of the expenses of maintenance and improvements, without the benefit of ownership. It puts the small contractor in a tough spot, trying to make a living. The state should be responsible for the cost of any construction to update its parks, and they should be responsible for updating them, while letting single private entities take care of the maintenance. It’s too bad that the private sector can’t make a decent living in this enterprise, led on by the promise of profitability. Along comes a corporation that has the finances to upgrade all kinds of features. How many millions will be spent on “upgrading” this park? How will the corporation recoup their investment? Prices to enjoy the park won’t just double, they will quadruple, or more. The park could use some updating, but probably not to the extent for what the new contractor is proposing, which will cost several millions. I think the stipulation in the original sale that patrons use the hot springs for free should definitely be looked into and instituted. Another natural feature overtaken and virtually ruined by a developer/corporation.
Please leave our beautiful Wyoming business alone!!! It’s a great place just as it is!! We don’t need to be California 😔
I would like to know the name of every politician that is responsible for this….. Because I tell you what you will never ever get my vote ever again….. I would rather vote for a democrat than the people who did this!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a born and raised in wyoming Woman , i’ve lived here for over fifty years…. I was just about next year to move my entire family to the mall and start a new business.Well, guess what?That is not happening now….. If you can do that to these people then use to stop you from doing it to the old ********* town. THIS IS NOT OUR WYOMING….
We do not want another jackson HOLE…. You shouldn’t took it to a boat and passed the people of Wyoming what they thought of it and what they wanted. IT sure IS NOT THIS
Boy—this is offensive. Voting for a Democrat is so terrible?
My family came to Wyoming in the 1880s, and we’ve voted for many good Democrats. And those officials did great work for our state, communities, and residents.
Democrats were the best politicians Wyoming ever had.
Sounds to me like they are trying to make it for rich people, this is sad I have been going to teepee and star plunge my whole life, they need to leave them alone
Why the urgency to spend millions to “fix” something that isn’t broken? If the state is so anxious to get rid of more money, why not jsut pay off some of what we already are on the hook for? I’m sure there are many other places to get rid of that money…letting the taxpayer keep some of it is one idea. “Going to Thermop” is already just fine.
I am a former resident of Thermopolis and swam for 30 + years in the pools. While growing up in Thermop the cost was a few dollars and a family pass was maybe $ 100 for the year.
My wife and I went to the pool and paid over $25.00 to get in for 2.5 hours last month.
Better off going to Sarstoga and soak in the hot pool there for free.
When I was growing up in Thermopolis the population was over 4000. Now its at 2700. Trying to have a thriving business there was difficult to say the least. I was on the retail committee & everyone in retail struggled. I feel that Thermopolis could use a shot in the arm with help from the state to make it a first class destination point. It would help the local economy greatly. Sometimes change is needed.
Roland and family have done nothing short of a fantastic job in running their facility. The states choice to steal their business is a serious over reach of power and greed for the highest bidder. This should worry any American , it’s them today might be you tomorrow. Will always remember the plunge and the great hospitality that was shown. To the ex politician who probably robbed and blackmailed to get the new contract, someday your bad deeds will catch up to you…
Until recently, wasn’t the lease paid by Luehne to the State cheaper than dirt cheap? As others said, used to be a cash only business and it makes one wonder about proper amount of royalties and-or sales tax paid back to the State
Star Plunge has been in need of maintenance and upgrading for years. I totally agree with that portion of WY State Parks decision. I agree with the comments about not over doing things, but I also see where the spa idea if done right would be beneficial for Thermopolis. Scale it appropriately, don’t turn Thermopolis into a Disney World.
We have been coming to the Star Plunge for 47 years. We travel from Minnesota. Leave them alone. We have never had a bad experience there. They continue to make improvements every year. Sometimes the delays in making them falls on the state dragging their feet. We know what happens when the government is involved it it’s not always for the good. We usually spend at least 1 week a year there, we like the quiet and the people in Thermopolis and will continue to come, if the Star Plunge is taken over by the state 😉 it will be a different story.
Political corruption digging there hands in a family run business!!! That is not right!!! Star Plunge is a great place to escape and unwind… The fact that corporation will try to change it to to a 5 star resort will push the lower and middle class clientele who frequent and enjoy Star Plunge. It is affordable and amazing hospitality… The fact that they can take away a family business without any compensation for the work put into Star Plunge, a family business since 1975 is not right… that is a income for the family and a legacy there father started… Greed and Corruption is the message I see… force out a family business so someone else takes the profits.. Not to mention the money that goes back into the community that Rolland and his family give back!!!
Absolutely disgusting!!!! If this does happen I will not be traveling to thermopolis and my money will go elsewhere…Think about your decision Wyoming before you ruin a great place to escape!!!!
I am a Family member whom with my Parents, Wolfgang & Christine Luehne, and my siblings Carl, Rosalie, Leila, & Roland, worked our fingers to the bone through thick and thin from 1975 to now to transform the Star Plunge into the wonderful tourist destination it is. The decision to commandeer this business, even though it remains a gem for the great state of Wyoming is another example of the unethical practices and lengths taken by big business and big money. It is a crying shame that Government can come in and just take whatever they want, destroying another hardworking citizen’s livelihood. Take note people, this injustice can happen to anybody at anytime. Shame on those that support this travesty. I’m saddened and sickened by these despicable events. Mark Leyba
Your fear mongering is misplaced. No, this can’t happen to anyone anywhere. But, it can happen to people who lease a business in a state park.
The facilities need an upgrade. They’ve needed it for years. To claim everything is clean and top notch is not being honest.
There is important historical context here. These hot springs were part of the Wind River reservation, but were “sold” in 1896. Chief Washakie stipulated as part of the sale that people should always be allowed to use the waters for free. More details here: https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/when-tribes-sold-hot-springs
Were the tribes consulted in this planning process? Seems like they should have a voice here.
My family and I come to Thermop almost every summer, and the public bathhouse is rarely open – it seems to close very early. If the state wants to spend money, spend it on improving those facilities.
I agree that some updates would be good for the park, but I think the emphasis should be on preserving the natural resources of the area, and keeping it affordable and accessible for everyone, in line with Washakie’s vision.
Wellness centers, spas and glamping – No. And, where would the profits from those go? Would they stay in the state? Not if the operator is an out-of-state company.
Wyoming is not like other places. Let it stay that way.
I’m her daughter. I grew up coming to Thermop and some of my favorite childhood memories are in these hot springs. I think that if you’re going to update anything, you maybe ought to stick to redoing the locker rooms or the water sanitization system, which are things that won’t negatively affect the experience of coming to these springs. But a “spa and wellness” complex seems like a concept that’s just totally at odds with what Thermop is right now. I come to Thermop for the vibe of the hot springs and for the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, which could probably also use some funding if the state wants to fund something. I don’t want spa treatments or “wellness”. And if these plans do come through, who’s to say that the hot springs will even stay affordable? Spas cost a lot more than public hot springs, after all.
Bummer. We came here because how it was. One after another a great place is ruined by overdevelopment. Very sad.
I am sure that Roland Luehne submitted his proposal as one of the three that were received. It must be hard to lose, but the process was fair, and I am excited to visit the new and improved Park in the future.
And one other thing The Vape cave is so beneficial to us people who have lung issues and to Roland I just wanted to tell you thank you
I say leave well enough alone it wouldn’t attract so many people if it wasn’t an attraction anyways it is a crying shame what you were doing to the owners Corporate greed ruining America here’s a prime example and I bet you the prices are really going to go up
The State Park is long over due for upgrades.
As A decades long visitor, I say lets get going, State Park.
Several observations: The bidders for the concessions needed to submit professionally prepared plans such as architectural, renovation, maintenance and operating plans. I suspect the successful bidder may have retained an experienced consultant who specialized in recreational properties that drafted up a really impressive presentation. If the losing bidders failed to submit a state-of- the- art proposal they would be at a serious disadvantage during the selection process. And, the owner of the successful LLC appears to be a former US Senator who would obviously be savvy when dealing with governmental agencies – all of this counts big time when Parks evaluates the proposals.
Second is the matter of deferred maintenance. Be very careful when buying apartments, office buildings, hotels, motels, casinos, etc. since the seller may not have kept up with maintenance and there could be unfunded maintenance adding up to the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Typical deferred maintenance for hotels and motels might include a new roof, new carpets, new mattresses, new linen, new drapes, new paint and bathroom upgrades. The pools and the hotels in the park may be in need of serious investment in order to fund deferred maintenance – one obvious maintenance obligation that was met recently is the new copper colored roof on the Teepee pool – that had to be well over one hundred thousand dollars. The Best Western Hotel was completely renovated about 20 years ago – they completely gutted the interior and reworked everything – the result was awesome – however, I’ve always had my doubts about the Hot springs Hotel across the street – they changed affiliations several times which tells me they didn’t meet the minimum standards of being a franchise. I suspect Mr. Mills spent several millions hunting as evidenced by the trophy room when that money should have gone into upkeep and renovations. Parks certainly is keenly aware of this matter of ongoing maintenance, improvements and renovations and it was an important consideration when choosing the successful bidder.
All things change and evolve and as much as we would like to see them stay within our comfort zone of fond memories time waits for no one.
So I will hold fast to my childhood memories of what our tiny state park means to me.
My heart breaks for my hometown and Luehne Family.
So it’ll end up priced out of reach of most of us. Another rich man’s playground.
Regarding the Star Plunge, for years and years it was getting run down with little to no improvements. Add the fact that until recently, you had to pay cash to get in – no debit/credit cards or checks. Wonder how much sales tax $$$ was officially paid to the Wyoming Dept. of Revenue. Yes, no ownership/management was sorely overdue. Are you feeling sorry for current owner Roland Luehne? Don’t be…that massive white house (largest in Hot Springs County) on the hill North of the Star Plunge is his. High time that the State Parks Dept fixes this situation
Yes, Thermop has a quaintness to it that is untouched by deep pockets. Yes, a generations long, family owned business being removed and replaced by out of state investors is horrifying, disheartening, and the core of what is wrong with the United States. And yes, I too, fear a major renovation of another small Wyoming town is going to price out the middle and lower class individuals and families who frequent the area for a mini vacation- myself and peers included. However, is it possible to use investor money to make the renovations without a major upheaval of a family owned business? Is it impossible to see a future without change? Personally, I think Thermop has its ups (quaint swimming pools, river runs, and a beautiful park to picnic in) and downs (my child got moluskum contagiousness- a fungal skin infection from one of the pools and there are frequently GOBS of bandaid- hair- skin flakes- and the like swirling by you any given moment) and such, I would like to see updates without the price hike. But change is inevitable. It’s how we come together as a community and collaborate the change into “Wyoming values” (which to be honest are kind of appalling given the recent 2024 legislative session but I digress). It seems like the more a community resists the change, the greater chance they have of not being a part of the conversation that is going to need their input and buy in to make a reasonable, realistic change for their themselves.
The reasonThermopolis is currently a destination town is because it is a place to get away from the rat race of the rest of the world. Leave it the way it is .
well said.
Love Star Plunge!!! The outdoor side could use an update. Tee Pee does need renovation, the indoor slide could use an update. Modernizing and making wellness centers and spas? Not a fan. It sounds like they are wanting to turn it into a place for the wealthy. My family and I have been going for years and it’s affordable.
We moved to Wyoming 16 years ago BECAUSE of its comfortable, understated charm, coupled with affordability. In just the past decade, the very things that drew us here have been shattered — and now this!!! So much for bringing out grandsons to Hot Springs State Park this summer…
Sometimes change is not always for the better or even needed. I know my family and several others who go to Thermopolis just because of the Star Plunge. It has a homey friendly atmosphere that I would not want to see ruined by a bunch of bureaucrats trying to make themselves useful. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Give the Star Plunge family some credit for their success.
This will be the biggest mistake that they could ever make…I grew up in this pool, families travel for miles to swim and relax!! It’s their mini vacation spot…alot of people use the pools for medicinal therapy…..family reunions have been held at the parks in Thermopolis for years….if you want make it better…make it better…don’t destroy it…..
LEAVE THERMOPOLIS ALONE. IT IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE STATES BIGGEST ATTRACTIONS. THE BIGGEST SHARE OF THE PROFITS GO RIGHT BACK IN THE COMMUNITY. WHEN BIG OUT OF STATE COMPANIES COME IN AND DO WHAT THEY PLAN ALL PROFITS ARE GOING OUT OF STATE TO THE NEW INVESTORS. THESE CHANGES WILL BE AT THE COST OF FELLOW MEMBERS AT THESE FACILITIES. PRICING PEOPLE OUT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSE THEY HAVE BEEN ACUSTOM TO FOR DECADES. PLEASE VOTE NO FOR THESE BIG INVESTORS TO COME IN AND RUIN THERMOPOLIS
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It appears Edward Abbey was right, again.
Pure corruption out of the Wyoming state government. They have finally succeeded in getting rid of Roland and his family after many years of effort to push him out. And they are going to give it to someone who has been here for a few months? Guaranteed that after Wyoming Hot Springs LLC takes over the admission prices will triple and it will be for the rich and famous. Ordinary Wyoming working folk and families will not be able to afford it. The short sightedness and lack of respect for Wyoming people leaves me with a sick feeling. This is pure greed and corruption.
Why keep changing Wyoming and everything I’m over seeing people coming and wanting to change Wyoming leave Wyoming alone and leave our hot springs alone also I love thermop just the way it is I do not approve of changing it at all
Amen and well said
So when this blows up in face because there’s not enough infrastructure to support a destination resort, but the “improvements” wiil push the fees to the point where the regional customers who have for decades supported Thermop won’t be able to afford it, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Your stupidity knows no bounds.