The Star Plunge’s lease with its current operator expired Dec. 31, but media reports that the historic water park in Hot Springs State Park would close then appear, in the words of Mark Twain, to have been greatly exaggerated.
In fact, Star Plunge continues operating under a lease extension through Jan. 14, according to Wyoming State Parks Big Horn District Manager Brooks Jordan.
“About a week ago, the Laramie County District Court issued an order that had two components,” Jordan said. “One was that we as the state cannot enter a new agreement with anyone to operate the Star Plunge until the legal process has been concluded. The other is that we cannot enforce that part of the previous contract or lease that stipulates they have to remove all of their improvements and buildings and property (once the lease expires) while the court case is ongoing.”
Both of those were conditions the court said couldn’t be undone, if the court case went against the state.
Jordan said the confusion arose from a press release written while State Parks was still under the impression there wouldn’t be a way to operate the facility after Dec. 31.
“However, at the last minute, an extension was granted for that two-week time period to allow (current owner Roland Luehne) to continue to operate it after the 31st,” he said.
Jordan said there’s still a 50-50 chance the facility might close temporarily until the legal proceedings are resolved.
“The other 50% chance is that a sale occurs or is agreed to, and then we could enter into a short-term operational management agreement with the purchaser to keep it going temporarily,” Jordan said.
That temporary operation could continue until a long-term lease is signed, which Jordan said the state is already negotiating, so it will be in place as soon as there is a sale, or resolution to the court case.
Star Plunge Not So Sure Of Agreement
Meetings between Star Plunge owner Luehne and Wyoming Hot Spring LLC, the state’s chosen new operator for facilities in Hot Springs State Park, have been ongoing, Jordan said, and he is hopeful an agreement between the parties is imminent.
Luehne, speaking through his attorney, did not have any comment about ongoing negotiations, but did not necessarily strike a conciliatory tone in his remarks.
“My family has operated the Star Plunge for three generations,” he said. “We have decades of blood, sweat and tears, as well as millions of dollars we have invested into this facility, which is our family legacy.
“We believe we have a right to have our day in court and we likewise believe that it is in the best interest of the state of Wyoming, the local community and the Shoshone, Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes to allow the facilities to stay open until the legal matter is fully resolved.”
Closing the facility makes no sense for anyone involved, Luehne added.
“If we are required to close while the legal matter runs its course, 15 people will lose their jobs and health care, not to mention the additional loss of tourism dollars and the additional jobs associated with that in Hot Springs County,” he said. “There are 1,149 people in our local communities that have a membership to the Star Plunge. If we are required to close, all of those people lose access to this facility.”
Luehne has put $3 million into upgrades at the facility, he has previously told Cowboy State Daily. That is what he’s seeking for the purchase price.
Representatives of Wyoming Hot Springs did not immediately respond to an email from Cowboy State Daily requesting comment on the matter. It’s not known if Wyoming Hot Springs sees that as a fair purchase price, particularly given that the state is expecting the company to sink millions of dollars into improving the facility.
Brooks said if the facility does sell to Wyoming Hot Springs, he envisions the facility remaining open while some improvements to it are made during its operation. Other improvements, though, would have to wait for warmer weather, and might involve a temporary closure.
Eastern Shoshone Weigh In
The Star Plunge situation has gained statewide attention and has prompted other groups to weigh in on what happens with the facility.
The Eastern Shoshone Business Council has urged Gov. Mark Gordon to make no final decisions about big changes at the Hot Springs State Park facility, including transfer of the facilities, without consultation and prior informed consent of the tribe.
“We are aware of your letter dated July 1, 2024, where you said you would welcome input from our tribes, and yet we have not received a response to our letter and requests,” says the Dec. 31 letter signed by Eastern Shoshone Business Council Chairman Wayland K. Large. “We are writing to reiterate our requests to be treated as full decision makers regarding access to our sacred waters and lands and benefit-sharing.”
The letter goes on to outline how the Star Plunge pool has been used as an “intergenerational place of healing over generations.”
The facility offered more than three multiple-week free swims for tribal members, which saw thousands of free entries and is a form of benefit sharing the tribe wants to continue.
“More importantly, it recognizes our right to continued access to our sacred waters as the place of healing it has always been,” the letter goes on to say. “Star Plunge has been operated locally for three-plus generations and continues to serve a place where multiple generations of our people swim together, maintain our sacred connection to these waters and heal. It is also an important driver for the local economy including our Wind River Reservation.”
The tribe already lost the hot springs on their reservation, Large added, and “cannot afford to lose another one; and have the Star Plunge shut down.”
Critical For County Economy
Hot Springs County, meanwhile, detailed how important Star Plunge is to winter tourism in Hot Springs County, attracting more than 4,000 visitors each month.
“Star Plunge is not merely a tourist spot, it is the very heart of Thermopolis’ thriving tourism sector, says a letter signed by Hot Springs County Travel and Tourism Chairman William D. Robinson. “Thermal pools stand out as our premier attraction, especially during the winter season, drawing in thousands who not only enjoy the facilities but also significantly contribute to our local economy.”
Hot Springs visitors don’t only enjoy the healing waters, though, they also eat out at restaurants, shop at local stores and bring “life and vitality to Thermopolis’ economic landscape.”
Because of that, Robinson said, it is vital that the governor and the state of Wyoming communicate a plan for handling the profound challenges the closure of the Star Plunge would represent.
“The Hot Springs County Travel and Tourism board is keenly interested in understanding Wyoming’s strategy for continuing to attract these vital visitors post-closure,” Robinson wrote. “These tourists are crucial for maintaining the economic health of our community. We respectfully inquire about any existing plans to fill this significant void, or how the state envisions supporting Thermopolis in sustaining its tourism-driven economy.”
Renée Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.
