Officials announce sale of Tepee Pools

The Tepee Pools aquatic facility within Hot Springs State Park is set to embark on a new chapter as ownership changes hands.

Hot Springs I Limited Partnership, a well-respected entity in the leisure and hospitality industry, now owns the business and operates the iconic aquatic facility.

“This transition ensures the continued operation and enhancement of the facility while offering exciting new opportunities for the community and visitors alike,” says Brooks Jordan, Wyoming State Parks District Manager.

As one of two major aquatic concessions in the park, the Tepee Pools has been an attraction for several decades.

History

On June 26, 1967, Darrel Hunt turned over the first shovelful of dirt during the ground-breaking ceremonies for his new spa in the Hot Springs State Park.

His $250,000 facility featured a unique tepee design which was built out of polyurethan and towered over the pool. He named this new healing business the Tepee Pool and Spa and had big dreams. Hunt and his wife, Ann, were both registered physical therapists and planned to provide Swedish massages and an exercise program to their customers.

However, soon after his grand opening a year later, Hunt sold the pool to Jim Mecca, a teacher and coach. Mecca dived into the business full time and eventually had a regulation pool, soaking pool, wading pool and a pizza parlor. He kept the tepee name and the popularity of his pools grew.

Then disaster struck. On Valentine’s Day 1975, a fire blazed through the Tepee Pool and Spa. The damage was estimated at $850,000 and Mecca had to rebuild his family business.

This time, the fire marshal stepped in and said the polyurethan structure had been too flammable. The tepee was replaced with a new dome shaped building made of cedar, a type of wood that retains moisture without rotting away. Mecca kept the tepee name and continued to manage the pool.

After 28 years, he was ready to retire and sold his pools. Dan Moriarity moved to Thermopolis as the new manager for Tepee Pool Inc. During his tenure as manager, the company briefly changed the name to Hot Springs Water Park but encountered an unexpected issue. Nobody could remember that name and could not find them in the Yellow Pages. When the company decided to change the name back to Tepee Pool, they did so with one minor change.

Moriarity’s Mom, Helen, could no longer take care of herself and was alone in Montana. To convince her to move to Thermopolis, her son promised to put her name in lights. He kept his word. Each night when she would go to her window at the Pioneer Home, Helen, nicknamed Hellie, would see her name lit up. The pool had been renamed Hellie’s Tee Pee Pool in her honor.

Moving forward

According to a press release, Wyoming State Parks officials have identified needed repairs and improvements to the aging facility which are set to be prioritized moving forward.

“Hot Springs I Limited Partnership is excited to add Tepee Pools to our hot spring developments. This partnership with the state and local community, along with our experience, will create a destination that Wyoming will be proud of,” says Keith Shellhamer, Hot Springs Limited Partnership Chief Operating Officer.

Hot Springs I Limited Partnership owns and operates hot springs facilities around the country including Carson Hot Springs (www.carsonhotsprings.com) and Jemez Hot Springs (www.jemezhotsprings.com) as well as other hospitality-related businesses.