Public meeting to discuss HSSP concessionaires

Wyoming Senate Vice President Ogden Driskill (R) will be in Thermopolis next week to answer questions from the public regarding the concessionaires in Hot Springs State Park.

Chairman of the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee, Driskill will be at Storyteller on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 2-4 p.m.

Chairman Driskill is the sponsor of SF116, a bill that allows the state to terminate the contracts of any concessionaires on state property that do not have the proper contracts in place. The bill becomes law on January 1, 2020.

The concessionaires were allowed to choose between three appraisal companies to come in and do a third-party appraisal of the properties, including the structures, their facilities and more.

At risk under the bill are the Days Inn, which did not meet the renewal standards needed for a new contract with the state and the Star Plunge which has not met their obligations, effectively allowing the state to terminate both contracts the first of the year.

During a meeting held the end of July in Thermopolis, Driskill commented that Thermopolis could be a world class area and wanted to know what the legislature could do to help.

The hope is the state’s master plan for the park will do just that, turn it into the crown jewel of the state park system and turn Thermopolis into a prime tourist destination.

Chairman Driskill pointed out the intent is not to close anything down in the park, adding the state does not want to be in the hotel or waterpark business.

Requests for Proposal (RFP) produced by the state will hopefully bring in outside interests that can either buy the properties outright or manage them on behalf of the state.

Thursday’s meeting is open to the public.