Growing pains

Some of us in the community as children growing up in Thermopolis dreamed of having a McDonald’s restaurant in town. Years later, we got one – and a Pizza Hut restaurant as well.

Some grew up hoping for even more, a shopping mall, a cold water swimming pool, a stoplight at Amoretti and Sixth Streets. We never got those.

According to the US Census, In 1983, Thermopolis and East Thermopolis’ population was about 4,410 people and we had the infrastructure to handle that amount at the time. Today Thermopolis population is 2,702. Hard numbers to swallow.

The question is, do we really want to grow? Some do, some don’t.

The Shawshank Redemption leaves us with a quote saying, “Get busy living or get busy dying.”

Thermopolis has a series of opportunities that make it possible to potentially stop the decline of our economy. Are they easy? No. Are they controversial? Yes. 

We have a change in the making with the new concessionaire for the Hot Springs State Park with the pools and hotel. There is the possibility of Hot Springs County being chosen to host a world class shooting complex. And, even the Senior Center wants to expand in their purchased building.

All of these are potential engines for economic growth. Yet, we hear the cries from some in the community, “We don’t want to be a Jackson or a Bozeman!”

Honestly, we feel we are far from being on the spectrum to becoming like them. We as a community need to decide our own future. Without growth opportunities, our population and amenities could continue to decline. But with those opportunities come growing pains.

Thermopolis has so much potential, but it is up to us to embrace that potential or fight possible change. Our future is holding us accountable.

We can make course corrections as they come along or struggle to stay on the same track.

What path are you taking?