Hot Springs State Park’s Star Plunge pending closure
THERMOPOLIS (WNE) — The Star Plunge aquatic facility at Hot Springs State Park had been set to close to the public at the end of 2024 due to the expiration of its current management agreement. Wyoming State Parks has agreed to extend that expiration by two weeks to allow Star Plunge management additional time to work out a potential sale.
“While we face challenges with the Star Plunge, we are excited about the opportunities for revitalization and innovation at Hot Springs State Park,” Nick Neylon, deputy director of Wyoming State Parks, said in a news release.
A recent court ruling requires that current legal proceedings between C& W Enterprises, which currently operates the Star Plunge, and Wyoming State Parks be resolved before a new operator can take over at this location. A sale to a new operator will resolve those legal proceedings.
Following W.S. 36-4110(b) and state park regulations, the agency issued a Request for Proposal in 2023 to construct and manage new or improved lodging and aquatic facilities at Hot Springs State Park. This included potential options for significant redevelopment at the current Star Plunge and Hot Springs Hotel and Spa sites.
The RFP was open to all interested parties, including current managers.
Wyoming Hot Springs LLC, the current owner/operator of the TePee Pool aquatic facility, was awarded the bid through this process; however, the project is currently on hold pending the outcome of legal processes with current Star Plunge management.
This story was published on January 3, 2025.